ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion Prajanchai PongSuphan PK of Thailand knows the strawweight kickboxing division better than almost anyone. He held that belt, too, and the man who took it from him is about to put it on the line again.
Jonathan Di Bella defends the ONE strawweight kickboxing world title against “Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian at The Inner Circle 22 on July 17 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
It is a rematch of their first meeting in 2022, when Di Bella claimed the vacant belt by unanimous decision on his ONE promotional debut.
Zhang has rebuilt steadily since, stringing together wins to earn his second crack at the title. Prajanchai, who lost the kickboxing belt to Di Bella at ONE Fight Night 36 in October, has watched both men closely.
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Prajanchai gave his assessment to Muay Thai Around The World:
“I’m looking at Jonathan Di Bella because he is a boxer whose weapons are fast. He is very fast and more diverse; he also has head kicks. But the other side also has persistence and aggression, so it’s a test for both. If you had the chance to meet in a kickboxing format … I’m not picky. Anyone is fine.”
Fans can watch Di Bella defend his title live by purchasing The Inner Circle at live.onefc.com.
Prajanchai explains why match with Aliff did not push through
Prajanchai and Aliff Sor Dechapan were supposed to throw down for 26 pounds of gold.
However, the Thai veteran got injured, and Aliff has been assigned to fight Sam-A Gaiyanghadao for the interim belt instead.
Prajanchai revealed in the interview:
“Actually, we were matched up. … The other side withdrew. It was impossible to go. Then, we looked at ourselves, and there was no name on the ONE SAMURAI 1 card. We didn’t know when we would fight. Then, I had a surgery scheduled in advance. Yes, I had surgery on my private parts. I’m speaking directly, as it is on social media. That’s all.”
Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein