"That was a good performance" - Jonathan Di Bella picks his world title triumph over Zhang Peimian as his best one yet
Former ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Di Bella believes nothing can top his world title win over Zhang Peimian in October 2022.
The Canadian-Italian superstar opened his promotional account against the Chinese kickboxing star in the main event of ONE 162 inside the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Many saw his dance partner as a heavy favorite to claim the throne.
Zhang, after all, had racked up an impressive 2-0 run in the world's largest martial arts organization with victories over Australian veteran Josh Tonna and Russian powerhouse Aslanbek Zikreev.
However, it was the debutant who got his hand raised after an epic five-round battle that was back-and-forth for as long as it lasted:
"If I have to say one fight that is my best ever, I'd probably say the Zhang Peimian fight when I won the belt. That was a good performance, but I still made some mistakes that I wanted to fix.
"But, you know, nothing is perfect, but that was my best performance so far. I still have better ones to give," Jonathan Di Bella told Bolasport.
Watch the full interview here:
Jonathan Di Bella out to reclaim his gold at ONE Friday Fights 68
Five months after successfully defending his crown against three-sport superstar Danial Williams, the then-kingpin was scheduled to defend his gold against Prajanchai PK Saenchai at ONE Friday Fights 58.
However, Jonathan Di Bella lost his world title after missing hydration just days out of his second title defense. Later that night, the Team Di Bella Kickboxing star was rushed to the hospital with a severe illness that led to the cancellation of the fight.
With his fight against Prajanchai now booked for ONE Friday Fights 68, and with him back to full health, the 27-year-old returns with a bigger appetite to maintain his perfect resume and recapture his prestigious strap.
ONE Friday Fights 68 is available via pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com.
As always, the promotion's weekly outing in Asia primetime will take place inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.