KUCHING: Sarawak-based muaythai sensation, Johan “Jojo” Ghazali, has cleared weight and hydration ahead of ONE SAMURAI 1, declaring himself ready to deliver another statement performance on the global stage.
The 19-year-old will face Japan’s Shimon Yoshinari, 21, in a flyweight muaythai clash tomorrow (April 29) at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
“Weight and hydration passed, alhamdulillah. The hard part is over, now it’s time to have some fun,” he said in an interview with ONE Championship.
Jojo heads into the bout chasing a third straight win in ONE Championship, having built a reputation as one of the promotion’s most exciting young prospects. He burst onto the scene with a stunning 16-second knockout on debut in 2023 and has since added multiple highlight-reel finishes to underline his explosive power.
Training out of Superbon Training Camp in Thailand and Rentap Muaythai Gym in Kuching,Sarawak, the Malaysian-American has sharpened both his physical and mental game ahead of what he describes as one of the biggest tests of his career.
“We always put in 100 per cent in every fight camp. I feel much more mentally and physically strong. There’s so much I’ve learned from being around high-level fighters,” he told ONEfc.com.
His opponent Yoshinari enters the bout as a WBC Muay Thai world champion with a 25-1 record and an unbeaten run in ONE, setting up a high-stakes clash in front of a home crowd.
Despite the challenge, Jojo remains unfazed, confident that his preparation has equipped him with the tools to dismantle his opponent.
“Shimon has a lot of skills, but we’re not too worried. His poise is going to be tested like it’s never been tested before. I’m coming in kill-or-be-killed,” he said.
Known for his aggressive style, Jojo is already eyeing another knockout finish, backing his trademark right hand to get the job done.
“The right hand will be my match-winning tool. I’ve knocked out so many people with it. Round one wouldn’t be surprising,” he added.
The bout also marks another milestone for the teenager, who continues to represent Malaysia on some of the biggest stages in world combat sports.
“I’m proud to be one of the few Malaysians to compete in Japan under ONE Championship. When I’m in the ring, it’s just me and my opponent. The crowd won’t affect me,” he said.
