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Teenage knockout machine Jojo strikes again | Scoop
Johan Ghazali Zulfikar delivers a liver shot knockout to Edgar Tabares during the Malaysian teenager’s One Championship Fight Night debut earlier today. – Screen grab pic, December 9, 2023
Sports

Teenage knockout machine Jojo strikes again

Muay Thai sensation delivers another KO, this time facing experienced Edgar Tabares

Main Author Image
Faizal Salim
Updated
3:32 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Muay Thai prodigy Muhammad Johan Ghazali Zulfikar, or Jojo, stamped an exclamation mark on his One Championship Fight Night debut with another liver shot knockout this morning.

Making his US prime-time TV debut, Johan faced off against experienced fighter Edgar Tabares of Mexico at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 29-year-old is a WBC Muay Thai International champion but that did not faze 17-year-old Johan as the youngster started the fight confidently with stinging jabs.

As the first round continued to play out, Johan landed a vicious left hook to Tabares’ liver at the 36-second mark, which the Mexican could not recover from – handing Johan a knockout victory.

@scoopdotmy Muay Thai prodigy Muhammad Johan Ghazali Zulfikar, also known as Jojo, made a strong debut at the One Championship Fight Night this morning, knocking out Mexican fighter Edgar Tabares. Despite facing an experienced opponent, the 17-year-old WBC Muay Thai International champion dominated the fight, landing a decisive left hook to Tabares in the first round. #muaythai #muaythaimalaysia #johanghazalimuaythai #johanghazali #jojomuaythai #sportstiktok ♬ original sound – Scoopdotmy

This is the Sarawakian-American’s second liver shot knockout after downing Russian Temirlan Bekmurzaev in his previous fight, which landed him a US$100,000 (RM466,500) contract with One.

“I feel great, it has been a hectic fight week and camp, but I’m grateful, thank God for everything,” said Johan during the post-fight interview in the ring.

“It’s amazing… I’m on the big stage now. This is just the beginning, there’s a lot of bigger fights to come so stay tuned. Thank you, everyone.” 

He added that he is going to take his time to rise up the ranks and challenge for a world title.

“My name (is) Johan, in Malay, it means ‘champion’ so I will forever be on a mission to prove and live by my name.

“I will be the youngest Muay Thai world champion in One Championship ever,” said Johan, who has the gift of the gab to go along with his fighting skills.

Unfortunately, Johan missed weight and could not receive a bonus for his amazing performance.

The teenager took it in his stride.

“It sucks, but everything happens for a reason, this is just a bump in my journey.

“I’m going to go back and improve on whatever I need to improve – and next fight 100% I’ll be here and put on a show.

“Thank you to all the fans from Malaysia, Thailand and my family in the US too.

“I heard One Championship is going to have a few events in the US, that is the next target… One Championship USA 2024 let’s go,” said Johan. 

This is his fifth straight win in One and fourth by knockout. – December 9, 2023

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