‘I Learn To Cope With It Every Day’ – Teen Muay Thai Star Johan Ghazali Opens Up About His Growing Fame
Malaysian-American Muay Thai prodigy Johan “Jojo” Ghazali has enjoyed a meteoric rise in his star power ever since joining the world’s largest martial arts organization.
The 18-year-old knockout artist is now preparing for his upcoming flyweight Muay Thai clash with Diego Paez at ONE Fight Night 32: Rodrigues vs. Cohen on Prime Video, live in U.S. primetime on Friday, June 6.
Set to go down at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, that bout will mark Ghazali’s ninth appearance in ONE Championship and give him another opportunity to leave an impression on the promotion’s massive global fan base.
At an age when most young men are either living with their parents or struggling to find their path in life, “Jojo” is navigating the challenges of his growing celebrity status.
He spoke to onefc.com about how he’s dealing with his newfound fame:
“It isn’t easy, but I learn to cope with it every day. I learn to make the most of my time and all the roads and the moments from the past give me more experience. I’m better at handling stuff. I’m better at making things go a lot smoother now.”
Ghazali has come a long way since his sensational ONE debut as a 16-year-old in February 2023. That night at ONE Friday Fights 6, he wasted no time capturing attention with an epic 16-second knockout of Padetsuk Fairtex.
Over the past two years, the youngster’s explosive, finish-oriented style of striking and natural charisma have helped him emerge as one of the organization’s fastest-rising superstars.
He said the unique situation has required significant changes to his life, with his ever-evolving support system playing a pivotal role:
“I have a bigger team now. I have a manager. I have photographers. I have a whole team behind me now. So it’s a lot easier than it was before. All this comes with experience.
“To keep it short, the more I do it, the better I get at handling fame, deals, and everything that comes with my growing career in ONE Championship.”
An Eye For Fashion
Outside of the ring and Circle, fans are taking note of Johan Ghazali’s distinctive fashion sense.
As much as “Jojo” loves showcasing his brutal yet beautiful style of striking, he also has a clear vision for his personal attire:
“I’m a huge fan of fashion. I love looking good. I love styling myself up, and I love having a style that makes people notice me. I love being presentable. When it comes to brand, I love the regular Ralph Laurens, you know?
I love custom-made suits. I love suits that fit me like a glove. I do wear designer brands here and there, but I’m not a huge fan of them. I prefer more custom-tailored suits or something casual and timeless.”
Ghazali is embracing his fame – and looking good is a big part of that. He approaches fashion with the same confidence that he brings to fighting, always with an eye for detail and craftsmanship.
Just like he plans to impress fans with his performance on June 6, he also hopes to turn heads with his new fit in the near future:
“I had [a custom suit] made a few months ago. It is a pinstripe three-piece suit. It’s a really nice suit. I really love the suit. It fits me so well, and I can’t wait to wear it for a press conference soon.”
