After successfully defending the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title last October, Jonathan Di Bella is ready to put ONE Championship gold on the line again. This time, he will meet the Muay Thai king, Prajanchai PK Saenchai. The massive title tilt will be the co-main event of ONE Friday Fights 58 on Friday, April 5.
Although they competed in two different striking arts, Di Bella always had the Thai star on his hit list. The Italian-Canadian always wants to test himself against the best competition. Naturally, the Muay Thai legend stokes those flames ahead of their April 5 meeting.
“I’ve been watching [Prajanchai] for a long time. Obviously, he’s a great champion. He’s one of the best strikers to ever compete at the highest level and has won all over Thailand and Lumpinee and all the other stadiums. I’ve been watching him for a very long time, and I’ve always had my eye on him,” Di Bella explained to ONE.
Prajanchai is firing on all cylinders after claiming the undisputed ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship with a first-round KO over Joseph Lasiri. His opponent’s stature excites Di Bella about where a win could take his career. Ever looking for the next step forward in global recognition, the talented Italian-Canadian is ready for more fans around the world to take notice.
“Beating a name like him, it means a lot. It means a lot for me. And it means a lot for all the viewers because if I beat another champion, it’s very important for my name and my recognition,” Di Bella stated.
Di Bella expects an aggressive Prajanchai in their title contest. He has studied his game and is trying to prepare himself for an all-out war on April 5. With his father leading his camp as usual, the strawweight kickboxing king believes he can withstand the oncoming storm.
“I’m just getting ready for the best version of him and one of the best fighters that I’ve ever faced in front of me. I’m getting ready for war. I’ve been going through a rough training camp that my dad’s been putting me through. I’m just going through it all, giving my all, and I’ll be 100 percent ready for his fight. So yeah, can’t wait,” the strawweight king mentioned.
The 27-year-old said he was honored to compete in Thailand and to participate in an iconic venue such as Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. However, this match will add a little more pressure, with the Thai crowd cheering on its native son. But Di Bella is excited to shut him down and use the crowd’s passion to fuel his title defense.
“I feel like it’s more fun. I like going in their hometown and competing and getting more fans because I like to give an exciting fight, and especially giving an exciting fight with one of their own, with their own countryman. I know this is his home, so I know it means a lot to him. It makes me even more excited to win,” Di Bella said.
ONE Friday Fights 58 airs live on Friday, April 5. The action begins at 8:30 a.m. ET/5:30 a.m. PT. The event is available for $24.99 at watch.onefc.com.
