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Fresh off a stunning victory at ONE 168: Denver, Johan Ghazali is already planning his next move, setting his sights on higher-ranked opponents. The 17-year-old Muay Thai prodigy delivered a spectacular knockout performance against Josue Cruz, ending their 142-pound catchweight bout with a buzzer-beater KO in the first round, leaving the Ball Arena crowd in awe on September 6.
Known as "Jojo" Ghazali is quickly gaining recognition as a rising star in the flyweight Muay Thai division. His recent victory solidified his position as a serious contender, and now he’s focused on climbing the ranks toward a potential title shot.
Following his win, Ghazali made it clear that he’s aiming for a big-name opponent to further his career. At the top of his list is #2-ranked flyweight contender Denis Puric. Ghazali expressed his interest in fighting the seasoned veteran, noting Puric’s experience and exciting fighting style.
“I would like to fight Denis Puric because he’s a ranked fighter. He’s been around for a long time, experienced, strong. He’s a very entertaining fighter and I would love to fight him,” Ghazali said.
The young Malaysian-American fighter is eager to showcase his skills on a global stage, whether it’s in the U.S., Thailand, or even his home country of Malaysia.
“I would love to put on a show anywhere, any time — U.S., Thailand, Malaysia. Maybe ONE Championship will bring it back to Malaysia. I would love to fight Denis Puric,” he added.
Ghazali isn't limiting his targets to Puric alone. He’s also looking at matchups with Freddie Haggerty or Takeru Segawa, both known for their exciting fighting styles.
“Freddie Haggerty has shown some interest in Takeru. I would love to fight these people because they come to put on a show and they’re entertaining fighters,” he said.
Ghazali’s U.S. debut marked a milestone in his young career, and he relished the opportunity to introduce American fans to Muay Thai.
“It feels great to be one of the people who bring Muay Thai to the U.S.,” Ghazali shared. “I hope that they see how entertaining Muay Thai really is.”
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