KUCHING: Malaysian-American fighter Muhammad Johan Ghazali, popularly known as Jojo, has stunned audiences at the ONE Fight Night 17 Muay Thai event last night (Dec 8) with a swift victory over his opponent, Edgar Tabares, in just 36 seconds.
The 17-year-old Muay Thai prodigy based in Sarawak defeated Tabares, a Mexican striker and former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title contender, in an impressive display of skill and speed.
The event was aired on US primetime live from Bangkok’s renowned Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
“I feel great. It has been a hectic fight week, it has been a hectic fight camp. But I’m grateful. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Thank God for everything,” he said after the fight.
He said the victory marks just the beginning of his journey as he looks forward to bigger fights.
“I’m going to take my time. Slowly, step by step. But, my name, Johan in Malay, means champion.
“So, I will forever be on a mission to prove and live by my name and I will be the youngest ONE Championship Muay Thai champion ever. Insyallah,” he said.
He mentioned that he is aiming to give his best shot at the upcoming ONE Championship events expected to take place in the US next year.
In a previous victory within the ONE Championship, Jojo secured a win by knocking out his 25-year-old Russian opponent, Temrilan Bekmurzaev, with a liver shot during the ONE Friday Fight 36 at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok on Oct 6.
His remarkable win not only earned him a contract worth US$100,000 but also a substantial knockout bonus of 350,000 Thai Baht.
