“That was a high-level fight and he did well” - Jonathan Di Bella ‘impressed’ by Prajanchai’s kickboxing display vs Hamidi
Former ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Di Bella was very impressed with Prajanchai's performance against Akram Hamidi in his lone kickboxing bout under the ONE Championship banner.
This Friday, June 28, Di Bella will return to the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand with the opportunity to reclaim the crown he lost just a few short months ago following a failed hydration test.
Standing in his way at ONE Friday Fights 68 will be Prajanchai, the current ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion, who has two-sport glory on his mind.
Thus far, Prajanchai has only dawned the eight-ounce gloves once in ONE Championship, scoring a unanimous decision victory over Akram Hamidi at ONE Friday Fights 24 in September.
Speaking with the promotion, Di Bella admitted to being impressed by Prajanchai's work against Hamidi, saying:
"Yes, I was impressed with his skills. He fought a top fighter in Akram Hamidi. That was a high-level fight and he did well."
Jonathan Di Bella seeking redemption in ONE Friday Fights 68 headliner against Prajanchai
Originally, Prajanchai was set to challenge Jonathan Di Bella for the ONE strawweight kickboxing crown at ONE Friday Fights 58 in April, but Di Bella failed his hydration test. As a result, their bout was scratched from the card and the Canadian-Italian standout was stripped of his 26 pounds of gold.
He'll have the chance to score some redemption and take back the title inside the Mecca of Muay Thai, but to do so, he'll have to go through one of the hottest fighters in ONE Championship.
Prajanchai enters ONE Friday Fights 68 on a four-fight win streak, including wins over Kompet Fairtex, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, and former ONE strawweight Muay Thai world titleholder Joseph Lasiri.
Will Prajanchai bring another ONE world championship to Thailand, or will Di Bella recapture the belt he never lost and take it back to The Great White North?
ONE Championship will present ONE Friday Fights 68 live from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, June 28. Click here to purchase the event via pay-per-view.