"Thinking about facing him gets me fired up" - Josue Cruz prepped to go all-in versus Johan Ghazali in Denver
Mexican slugger Josue Cruz is well aware of Johan Ghazali's potent knockout power when they cross paths in a couple of weeks on the promotion's second on-ground showcase in North America, ONE 168: Denver.
Yet he remains pumped to the nines to face the Malaysian-American wunderkind inside Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 6.
The Mahmoudi Gym Mexico upstart looks to flip the script against 'Jojo' after losing back-to-back matches on the global stage. Both his defeats came via knockout, which has led to many believing that Johan's greatest attribute could lead to another unwanted plot.
None of that seems to faze Josue Cruz, though. Speaking to ONE Championship recently, 'Tuzo' vows to give it his all when he goes toe-to-toe with the Rentap Muay Thai Gym star in the Mile High City:
"Thinking about facing him gets me fired up in the morning and makes me give it my all."
Like Cruz, Johan needs to get his hand raised at all costs come Sept. 6.
After a flying start to things on the global stage, including a pair of sub-minute knockouts against Edgar Tabares and Padetsuk Fairtex, the 17-year-old upstart came up short via decision to Vietnamese striker Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat at ONE 167 in June.
Johan Ghazali won't underestimate Josue Cruz in Ball Arena matchup
Despite the odds being somewhat in his favor, Johan Ghazali admits he cannot take things for granted against Josue Cruz's stand-up skills and his experience.
Speaking to the South China Morning Post, the ONE Friday Fights talent noted:
"He's 28, he'a a decade older than me. I'm sure he has more experience than me. To underestimate him would be wrong. I don't underestimate anyone."
ONE 168: Denver will be available on Amazon Prime Video to active subscribers in the United States and Canada. Tickets for the spectacle can be purchased here.