The final twelve months examined Johan Ghazali in methods the teenage phenom by no means anticipated. However the Malaysian-American striker wouldn’t change a factor.
Ghazali faces Sean Climaco at ONE Battle Night time 39 on Friday, January 23, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 19-year-old flyweight Muay Thai contender enters the brand new 12 months with battle-tested knowledge and a chip on his shoulder.
The calendar turned with Ghazali driving momentum from his US$50,000 bonus-winning destruction of Josue Cruz at ONE 168: Denver final September. Confidence wasn’t a difficulty. His future regarded limitless. Then January arrived with Johan Estupinan handing him a unanimous resolution defeat. 5 months later, Diego Paez delivered one other blow with a break up resolution loss for Ghazali at ONE Battle Night time 32.
Two consecutive losses at 19 years previous. Most fighters would crumble. Ghazali moved to Superbon Coaching Camp as a substitute. He absorbed losses whereas concurrently absorbing information from Muay Thai royalty. The defeats damage, however his coaches stored him centered on the larger image.
“Estupinan was a enjoyable struggle, and Paez was one other good one. I don’t make excuses, but it surely was an enormous 12 months for me as I had simply moved to Superbon Coaching Camp, coaching out for the primary time,” he mentioned.
“I used to be adapting, I wanted to convey a brand new sport, a brand new talent set. Whereas [losing] did damage, guys like Superbon, Nong-O, Petchtanong, and Coach Gae instructed me I’m on the fitting path. I caught to their recommendation, figuring out I’d finally discover a manner out.”
Johan Ghazali reworked at Superbon Coaching Camp
Undisputed ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon turned Johan Ghazali’s information. Thai legend Nong-O Hama turned his main sparring companion. Petchtanong Petchfergus dealt with conditioning work. Coach Gae sharpened his weapons. The transformation unfolded each day by blood, sweat, and punishment.
The evolution manifested towards Zakaria El Jamari at ONE Battle Night time 35 this previous September. Ghazali blended kicks, demonstrated endurance, and showcased technical enhancements earlier than unleashing a last proper elbow that despatched El Jamari crashing to the canvas at 2:10 of spherical one. He walked away earlier than the referee waved it off.
The calendar now reveals December. Ghazali seems to be again at 2025 with gratitude as a substitute of bitterness. The teenage striker emerged extra full with psychological fortitude to belief processes. His 2026 wishlist stays easy: proceed evolving, preserve successful, construct his title. Climaco brings further motivation for the reason that Filipino-American star holds a victory over Diego Paez.
“I had labored onerous, and to get that first-round end meant so much. It confirmed that I used to be proper the place I wanted to be. It went simply as deliberate. I got here for the knockout, sure, however I did present new features of my sport with the kicks, the endurance, and the technical features of it,” he mentioned.
“The 12 months taught me so much. These defeats, in a manner, had been a chapter that I’m grateful for. Losses educate us to bounce again stronger, and, like I at all times say, stress makes diamonds. So followers bought to witness that after I bought my knockout win. I silenced the critics and the doubters.
“This can be a matchup that is sensible. He beat Diego Paez, I misplaced to Diego Paez, and I believe it’ll be an thrilling one. I’ll kill two birds with one stone if I get the win right here. Insha-Allah, if all goes nicely, it needs to be straightforward.”
