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Muay Thai star Jojo ready to turn the tide in Bangkok showdown

Muay Thai star Jojo ready to turn the tide in Bangkok showdown

New Straits Times19 hours ago
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Muay Thai prodigy Johan Ghazali Zulfikar is determined to return to winning ways when he takes on Moroccan fighter Zakaria El Jamari at ONE Fight Night 35 in Bangkok on Sept 6.
Known to fans as Jojo, the 18-year-old will step into the famed Lumpinee Stadium looking to snap a poor run of form that has seen him lose three of his last four bouts.
Johan took the fight world by storm last year with five straight wins, including four knockouts, earning himself a six-figure contract with ONE Championship.
But the Malaysian-American has struggled to maintain that early momentum, managing just one win in four fights since.
His most recent outing ended in a shock split decision defeat to Colombian-American Diego Paez.
"I'm excited to be part of ONE Fight Night 35 and just happy to be back doing what I love," said Johan.
"Zakaria is a tough opponent, but I'm hungry to get back in the win column. I've trained hard and I'll be at my best.
"To all my Malaysian fans, thank you for sticking with me. I promise to bring the fireworks. It's going to be a banger."
Zakaria is also in need of a bounce-back, having lost his last three fights, including a knockout defeat to Malaysian Ahmad Nor Iman Aliff Rakib last year.
With both fighters desperate to reignite their form, fireworks are guaranteed in Bangkok.
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