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James Goyder

Malaysian teenager Johan Ghazali has been fighting in Thailand for several years but you wouldn’t call him an overnight success. In fact, his career got off to a very slow start: five losses out of his first five fights.
“I came to Thailand to get experience, we weren’t looking to win,” said the 17-year-old. “For the first four fights I fought at Max Muay Thai in Pattaya and my fifth fight I fought in Lumpinee and got my arse beat – but it’s all a learning curve.”
Then he had a breakthrough year in 2023, fighting five times on ONE Championship cards, and winning all of them – four via knockout.
Ghazali had clearly learned from those early setbacks, which he feels has made him the fighter he is today.
Just how good Ghazali will be seen as ONE 167 next month, when he takes on Vietnamese Trần Duy Nhất Nguyễn at Impact Arena. The fight in Bangkok on June 7 is bound to attract a lot of viewers in Thailand.

This will be the second time Ghazali will fight on the Saturday morning events, which are broadcast live on Prime Video in North America. Ghazali feels he has made a step up and wants to demonstrate his punching power to a global audience.
“I’m excited to show the world what I can do. I’m looking forward to showing the people that I belong here.”
One factor that has clearly worked in the teenager’s favour is ONE Championship’s introduction of three-round Muay Thai fights with MMA gloves.
Fighters clearly pack more of a punch with the smaller gloves but few of them have been quite as effective as Ghazali.
He has used his hands to finish four of the five opponents he has faced on ONE Championship events and acknowledges that the equipment has been a factor.
“The small gloves really help me because one shot can change the whole fight,” he said.
Ghazali was just three years old when Nguyen first competed in the SEA Games, one of the many international competitions at which his opponent has represented Vietnam with distinction, including winning numerous medals for Muay Thai.
There is an 18-year age gap between the two men and Ghazali has plenty of respect for the more experienced Nguyen.
“Nguyen has been around for a long time and he’s a lot older than me. He’s experienced, he’s a good fighter, he’s fast.”
Another fighter he has a lot of respect for and admits to being a big fan of is Seksan Or Kwanmuang.

But while he loves to watch the 35-year-old Thai fight, the Malaysian does not necessarily want to emulate his hero’s career trajectory.
“I don’t think I’ll be wanting to fight in my mid-30s. Of course I love fighting, it’s the pillar of my life, but you’ve got to think about it too because it’s dangerous, it’s risky.
“How long do I want to be in this game? If I accomplish everything I want to before I’m 25, I’m out.”
Had Ghazali been competing in another combat sport, those early losses could have proved terminal to his career ambitions. Instead, losing helped make him the man he is today and set up the teenager for the success he is enjoying with ONE Championship.
For Ghazali, that is the beauty of Muay Thai, a sport where fighters compete so frequently that losses are inevitable.
“You see some of these boxers, they lose one fight and everyone’s telling them to retire. Muay Thai is different.”


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Veteran fighter John Lineker already building a future outside ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Liam Harrison ready to ‘enjoy’ long-awaited battle with Seksan in Denver

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ONE Championship

ONE Championship: after a bad start to career, Malaysian Muay Thai teenager Johan Ghazali set to show what he is made of

Johan Ghazali fought five times on ONE Championship cards in 2023, winning four of those bouts by knockout. Photo: ONE Championship

Ghazali (left) beat Edgar Tabares at ONE Fight Night 17 in his previous fight. Photo: ONE Championship

Ghazali admires Seksan Or Kwanmuang (left), but hopes not to be in the sport as long as the Thai has been. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Puric says Rodtang has ‘no chance’ in kickboxing bout, looks to title fights ‘when I win’

Denis Puric will fight Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE 167. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Superlek Kiatmoo9 handed risky tune-up bout against Kongthoranee Sor Sommai at ONE Friday Fights 64

Superlek Kiatmoo9 (left) defeated Japan’s Takeru Segawa in their kickboxing fight at ONE 165 in Tokyo. Photo: ONE Championship

Kongthoranee will be looking to cause a major upset against Superlek Kiatmoo9. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Jonathan Di Bella, Prajanchai PK Saenchaigym to face off for vacant strawweight kickboxing world title

Jonathan Di Bella, shown punching Danial Williams at ONE Fight Night 15,  has never lost a fight but has never fought Prajanchai. Photo: ONE Championship

Prajanchai, the strawweight Muay Thai title-holder, is on a four-fight winning streak. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Muay Thai veterans Liam Harrison, Seksan Or Kwanmuang to face off in catchweight bout in Denver

Seksan Or Kwanmuang, seen here against Tyson Harrison, has five months to prepare for Liam Harrison after his recent loss to Yutaro Asahi, his first defeat since 2022. Photo: ONE Championship

Liam Harrison is coming to the end of his career in the ring. Photo: ONE Championship

Mikey Musumeci will be moving up in weight to take on Kade Ruotolo. Photo: ONE Championship

Sport

Martial Arts

Muay Thai

Ghazali, 17, will take on Vietnam’s Trần Duy Nhất Nguyễn at ONE 167 next month, after five wins straight out of five fights
This will be the second time he will fight on the Saturday morning events, which are broadcast live to North America


The 17-year-old will take on Vietnam’s Trần Duy Nhất Nguyễn at ONE 167 next month, the second time he will feature on a live broadcast to North America.


ONE Championship: after a bad start to career, Malaysian Muay Thai teenager Johan Ghazali set to show what he is made of

Ghazali, 17, will take on Vietnam’s Trần Duy Nhất Nguyễn at ONE 167 next month, after five wins straight out of five fights This will be the second time he will fight on the Saturday morning events, which are broadcast live to North America

Ghazali, 17, will take on Vietnam’s Trần Duy Nhất Nguyễn at ONE 167 next month, after five wins straight out of five fights

This will be the second time he will fight on the Saturday morning events, which are broadcast live to North America