KUCHING: Malaysian Muay Thai prodigy Johan “Jojo” Ghazali reminded the combat sports world of his immense potential after scoring a stunning first-round knockout victory against Morocco’s Zakaria El Jamari at ONE Fight Night 35 in Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium today.
The 18-year-old Sarawakian, once dubbed the future of Malaysian Muay Thai, silenced his critics after back-to-back defeats earlier this year. With controlled aggression and precision striking, Jojo lived up to his pre-fight promise to finish his opponent in the opening round.
It took him just two minutes to dismantle Zakaria with a relentless mix of body shots and powerful hooks to the head, leaving the Moroccan fighter sprawled on the canvas.
“I said I would knock him out in round one, and I don’t make empty promises,” Jojo declared after the fight. “This was about showing the world that I’ve evolved. I’m stronger, smarter, and hungrier than ever.”
Jojo’s win comes as a major turnaround in his young career. Earlier in the year, he faced consecutive losses — first against Thai fighter Tapaokaew Singha Mawynn, followed by a defeat to Italian-Canadian veteran Jonathan Di Bella. Those setbacks were a harsh reminder that raw talent alone is not enough to survive in the highest levels of the sport.
Reflecting on those losses, Jojo admitted they forced him to rebuild his game. “I needed to change. Losing hurt, but it taught me to work on my defense, my footwork, and my mindset. It made me come back stronger,” he said.
His comeback performance against Zakaria highlighted exactly that — a more disciplined approach without rushing recklessly forward. Every strike landed with purpose, showcasing a matured version of the once overly aggressive teenager.
The knockout marks Jojo’s sixth career victory under the ONE Championship banner, further cementing his reputation as one of Malaysia’s brightest young stars in combat sports. At only 18, Jojo’s fearless fighting style and charisma continue to capture global attention, keeping hopes high for a golden future in Muay Thai.