Ghazali faces Sean Climaco A Fighting Night 39 on Friday, January 23 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. The 19-year-old Muay Thai flyweight contender enters the new year with proven wisdom and a chip on his shoulder.
The calendar turned when Ghazali gained momentum following his $50,000 bonus-winning demolition of Josue Cruz at ONE 168: Denver last September. Trust was not a problem. His future seemed limitless. Then January came and Johan Estupinan handed him a unanimous defeat. Five months later, Diego Paez delivered another blow with a split-decision loss to Ghazali at ONE Fight Night 32.
Two straight losses at age 19. Most fighters would crumble. Ghazali moved to Superbon Training Camp instead. He absorbed losses and absorbed knowledge of Muay Thai royalty at the same time. The defeats hurt, but his coaches kept him focused on the bigger picture.
“Estupinan was a fun fight, and Paez was a good fight too. I’m not making excuses, but it was a big year for me because I had just moved to the Superbon Training Camp, where I trained for the first time,” he said.
“I was adapting, I had to bring a new game and a new set of skills [losing] hurt, guys like Superbon, Nong-O, Petchtanong and Trainer Gae told me I’m on the right track. I adhered to their advice, knowing that I would eventually find a way out.”
Johan Ghazali transformed at Superbon Training Camp
The undisputed ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion Superbon became Johan Ghazali’s guide. Thai legend Nong-O Hama became his main sparring partner. Petchtanong Petchfergus handled the conditioning work. Trainer Gae sharpened his weapons. The transformation took place daily through blood, sweat and punishment.
The evolution manifested itself last September against Zakaria El Jamari at ONE Fight Night 35. Ghazali mixed kicks, showed patience and showed technical improvements before unleashing a final right elbow that sent El Jamari crashing to the canvas at 2:10 of the first round. He walked away before the referee waved it off.
The calendar now shows December. Ghazali looks back on 2025 with gratitude rather than bitterness. The teenage striker emerged more complete with the mental strength to trust processes. His wish list for 2026 remains simple: keep evolving, keep winning, build his name. Climaco provides extra motivation as the Filipino-American star picks up a victory over Diego Paez.
“I had worked hard and to get that finish in the first round meant a lot. It showed that I was exactly where I needed to be. It went exactly as planned. I came for the knockout, yes, but I showed new aspects of my game with the kicks, the patience and the technical aspects of it,” he said.
“This year has taught me a lot. Those defeats were, in a way, a chapter I’m grateful for. Losses teach us to come back stronger, and, as I always say, pressure makes diamonds. Fans were able to witness that when I got my knockout victory. I silenced the critics and the doubters.”
“This is a meaningful match. He beat Diego Paez, I lost to Diego Paez, and I think it will be an exciting match. I will kill two birds with one stone if I get the win here. Insha Allah, if all goes well, it should be easy.”
#Johan #Ghazali #silenced #critics #BJPenn.com