Tag: Denice Zamboanga

Angela Lee’s Ready To Test Denice Zamboanga In Deep Waters

ONE Championship’s Angela Lee appears unfazed about the prospect of defending her atomweight title against the Philippines ‘ Denice Zamboanga. Zamboanga booked herself a title shot against Lee —who remains undefeated at atomweight—after comprehensively defeating one of the atomweight division’s top fighters in Mei Yamaguchi. It was a breakout performance from the Filipina, but Lee […]

ONE Championship’s Angela Lee appears unfazed about the prospect of defending her atomweight title against the Philippines ‘ Denice Zamboanga.

Zamboanga booked herself a title shot against Lee —who remains undefeated at atomweight—after comprehensively defeating one of the atomweight division’s top fighters in Mei Yamaguchi.

It was a breakout performance from the Filipina, but Lee is still uncertain if the 23-year-old is ready to take the next step.

“I think that fight showed she’s a well-rounded mixed martial artist. She’s up and coming, young and like every atomweight contender out there, she wants the belt. That’s the end goal,” Lee said in an interview with the South China Morning Post.

“We were able to see parts of her game with Mei and the fight before that. I think she’s good everywhere, but I don’t think she has what it takes to take it that next level deep – that’s where I would be testing her. But yeah, I’m excited for it whenever it does happen.”

Lee’s last outing was over six months ago at ONE: Century in Tokyo, Japan, where she successfully defended her atomweight against China’s Xiong Jingnan—who dropped down from strawweight for the fight.

The Hawaiian based fighter is keen to return to action as soon as possible and is keeping active, so she is ready to go as soon as she gets the call from ONE.

“I’ve been staying busy and staying ready so that when the call comes, I’d be ready to take it on short notice, and I think all of us fighters are itching to get back in the cage.”

At the moment, there is no set return date for ONE. However, Singapore — which is where the promotion is based — is due to begin slowly reopening from June 2 with the government laying out a three-phase plan to get the city-state up and running.

How do you see this bout going down?

Exclusive: Denice Zamboanga ONE’s Newest Atomweight Star

In just two fights, Denice Zamboanga has gone from unknown newbie to ONE atomweight title challenger. The 23-year-old Filipina, who only made her promotional debut in December, has wasted no time in establishing herself as the latest threat to Angela Lee’s title reign. Zamboanga’s first appearance under the ONE banner saw her take on Mayalsian […]

In just two fights, Denice Zamboanga has gone from unknown newbie to ONE atomweight title challenger. The 23-year-old Filipina, who only made her promotional debut in December, has wasted no time in establishing herself as the latest threat to Angela Lee’s title reign.

Zamboanga’s first appearance under the ONE banner saw her take on Mayalsian star Jihin Radzuan on Radzuan’s home soil. In front of a vocal and partisan crowd, the ONE debutante nullified her opponent’s vaunted ground game and walked away with a unanimous decision win.

It was an impressive performance from Zamboanga, and one she backed up two months later in Singapore, where she comprehensively defeated veteran Japanse fighter Mei Yamaguchi.

Yamaguchi came into the fight riding a four-bout winning streak but found herself outgunned by the newest kid in the division. Back-to-back victories over two of the division’s toughest fighters have given Zamboanga momentum as she gears up for her bout with Lee.

“I didn’t expect that in my first bout with ONE Championship, I would be competing with a top contender, and then my second bout was with Mei Yamaguchi. As a newbie with ONE, I was surprised and amazed that I could face the top contenders so soon,” Zamboanga said, speaking through a translator to LowKick MMA.

“After the Yamaguchi bout, I gained a lot of self-esteem and confidence because Yamaguchi had faced [Angela] Lee twice. “

Fighting out of the world-renowned Fairtex Gym in Thailand, Zamboanga is currently unable to fully train due to the ongoing lockdown in the South East Asian nation.

Thankfully, she is still able to get some work in, with the help of her elder brother Drex— who is also one of her trainers.

“Unfortunately, the gyms are closed because of the lockdown, but I am trying to stay active every day. I am with my brother now, and he helps me to keep active. Everyday we train.

“For now, I am focusing on my striking because I cannot use the mats, so we train outside and do pad work.”

Some of the best strikers on the planet sharpen their tools at Fairtex. For Zamboanga, sparring with the likes of ONE Muay Thai Atomweight Champion Stamp Fairtex has played a massive role in her development as a fighter.

“When it comes to everyday training, I really enjoy the training, I have a lot of funny moments, especially with Stamp. We try to make training light by joking with each other, but when it comes to fight camp, everyone is serious and is very focused on training.

“It is an advantage for me being with Stamp, not just as a training partner but also as a friend. I have learned a lot from Stamp, especially in striking. It is a blessing to train at Fairtex and another blessing to train with Stamp Fairtex.

At the moment, Zamboanga is unsure when her title bout with Lee will take place, but when they do meet, she promises that Lee will face a different Zamboanga from the one who fought Yamaguchi.

“If you are going to watch all of my fights, I have shown different skills. It will be a different Denice Zumabnaogo that faces Angela Lee.”

Three years ago, Zamboanga turned down an offer from ONE, because she felt she needed time to develop as a fighter.

Now, with a title shot looming on the horizon, no one could deny that she used her time well.