‘My Hands Are My Strong Suit’ – Nabil Anane Sets Sights On Olympic Boxing Gold
Nabil Anane has made his name as one of Muay Thai’s most dangerous young stars, but the former ONE World Champion believes his greatest weapons have always been his fists.
Now, the 22-year-old Algerian-Thai sensation wants to test those hands on another stage, setting his sights on Olympic boxing gold for Thailand at Los Angeles 2028.
Before that, Anane will face Japanese star Yuki Yoza in a bantamweight kickboxing clash at ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
His Olympic ambition also has a personal connection. Growing up in Pattaya, Anane actually preferred boxing to Muay Thai before following the path that would eventually make him a World Champion.
With national-team selection and Olympic qualification still ahead, he is preparing for a new challenge while continuing his ONE Championship career.
Anane’s Punching Power Fuels Olympic Confidence
Anane officially announced his Olympic bid at a press conference held at Evolve MMA in Bangkok on August 14.
ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong joined representatives from the Thailand Boxing Association and the National Olympic Committee of Thailand in backing the young superstar’s pursuit of a national-team spot.
The ambition has roots in Anane’s childhood, when he spent approximately 18 months learning boxing in Pattaya. Although he enjoyed the discipline, he believed Muay Thai offered a clearer path to competitive opportunities in Thailand at the time.
He said:
“When I was a kid, if Thailand had been big on boxing, I probably would have gone straight into boxing instead. But since boxing wasn’t that popular here back then, I went with Muay Thai instead. Though I actually did train in boxing for about a year and a half when I was young, right here in Pattaya.”
Despite never competing in an amateur boxing match, Anane believes the striking abilities that brought him success in Muay Thai could translate well to the Olympic boxing ring.
The 6-foot-4 standout sees his height and reach as natural advantages, but he places even greater confidence in his punching ability, which has been responsible for many of his knockout victories.
He said:
“Fighting in ONE, I already rely heavily on my hands. Most of my knockout wins actually come from my punches. That’s definitely my main weapon – my hands are my strong suit. I just don’t talk about it much because I don’t really like letting people know what my main weapon is.”
Anane Adjusts His Striking Arsenal For Olympic Boxing
While Anane has already demonstrated his punching power against elite Muay Thai and kickboxing opponents, he understands that Olympic boxing presents an entirely different technical challenge.
Without kicks, knees, and elbows to consider, the former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion must sharpen his footwork, increase his movement, and adjust the rhythm that has served him throughout his professional career.
The 22-year-old said:
“It’s a completely different rule set and a different sport altogether, so there’s obviously a huge contrast. I’ll have to go back to the drawing board and adjust. I can’t keep moving with that slow, heavy Muay Thai rhythm anymore because, honestly speaking, they’re two different games. I need to be much faster and keep my focus strictly on punching, since it’s pure boxing.”
Fortunately, Anane already has a strong foundation to build upon at his training camp.
Under longtime coach Mehdi Zatout, he drills his punches daily using boxing-specific techniques. He also regularly tests himself against international training partners whose technical skills push him to improve his defense and counterattacking ability.
Anane said:
“When we spar, we go at it relentlessly. As the Thai fighter holding down the local fort, I have to make sure I don’t get eaten alive! If your defense isn’t on point, you’ll get completely dismantled by these foreign fighters who specialize in boxing. So I can’t just play defense – I have to fight back and stand my ground. That constant challenge keeps me evolving all the time.”
Thailand’s First Olympic Gold Medalist Backs Anane’s Dream
Beyond testing his skills in another discipline, Anane takes tremendous pride in the opportunity to represent Thailand on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.
The former ONE World Champion believes he can contribute to the country’s Olympic boxing program and is eager to reward the confidence that officials have placed in him.
He said:
“Since they offered me the opportunity, I wanted to help out and represent the country. Whether I succeed or not is another story, but I just want to step up for Thailand.”
However, his achievements in Muay Thai will not guarantee him a place on the national team.
While Anane believes the current pool of contenders in his weight category is relatively small, he is prepared to face anyone who emerges during the selection process. Rather than seeking preferential treatment because of his ONE Championship reputation, he wants to earn the position through his boxing ability.
The Thai phenom said:
“Either way, there has to be a selection process. If anyone wants to represent this weight class, they have to go through me first. If they can’t beat me, then that national team spot belongs to me. I’m not trying to cut in line ahead of anyone; we just line up and see who has the better boxing. May the best man win.”
Even securing a national-team berth would only be the beginning. Anane must still navigate Olympic qualification before he can compete in Los Angeles.
To help him prepare for that demanding journey, the 22-year-old has gained the support of one of Thailand’s most celebrated sporting figures. Somluck Kamsing, who made history by winning Thailand’s first Olympic gold medal in featherweight boxing at Atlanta 1996, has begun personally coaching Anane.
The Thai legend has already worked with the ONE superstar in training and expressed his willingness to continue helping him prepare for the challenges ahead.
Anane said:
“My goal is to go there, compete, and bring back a gold medal so I can show it off.
“Speaking of Somluck, he’s actually been coaching me seriously. He came to teach me once already and said he’ll be back in two or three days. He really loves it and said he’s fully backing me all the way.”
