‘Kill-Or-Be-Killed’ – Johan Ghazali Vows To Spoil Shimon’s Homecoming At ONE SAMURAI 1
Johan “Jojo” Ghazali has built his entire career on statements, and at ONE SAMURAI 1 this Wednesday, April 29, he plans to make his loudest one yet.
The 19-year-old Malaysian-American sensation ventures into enemy territory to face Shimon Yoshinari in a flyweight Muay Thai clash, which broadcasts live on pay-per-view from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
Victory for the teenage phenom, who prepares at Superbon Training Camp in Thailand and Rentap Muaythai Gym in Malaysia, would push him to three straight triumphs on the global stage and a significant step closer to ONE Championship gold.
In fact, seeing his teammate Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon lift the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title from Nabil Anane last month has lit a new fire in him.
This camp has reflected every ounce of that fire. Ghazali has left no stone unturned in his preparation, as he’s been sharpening his tools, tightening his defensive habits, and doing the quiet work.
He told onefc.com:
“We always put in 100 percent in every fight camp. We’re always focused. We train with the same intensity, same hard work, and same dedication. But, of course, we’re setting up the right game plan, while tweaking some mistakes.
“I feel much more mentally and physically strong, too. There’s so much I’ve learned from being around high-level fighters.”
It is easy to see why Ghazali has gone all out.
Shimon is a WBC Muay Thai World Champion with a 25-1 career record. In addition, the Japanese star has enjoyed a 4-0 (1 NC) promotional campaign, which includes a dominant win over four-time Muay Thai World Champion Yodlekpet “The Destroyer” Or Atchariya.
However, none of that changes a thing for the Malaysian-American sensation. The young gun has the utmost respect for his foe’s skill set, but he has also spent this camp learning exactly how to take it apart.
The Sarawak-based fighter continued:
“Shimon has a lot of skills, including the calf kicks, but we’re not too worried about that. Superbon has given me the needed tricks. He’s instilled that in me – he did the same to beat [Masaaki] Noiri with ease.
“His poise is going to be tested like it’s never been tested before. He’s fought good fighters, but the other opponents aren’t as ferocious. They don’t have that killer mindset. I’m coming in kill-or-be-killed.”
Ghazali is not the type of person to hide behind vague answers when the topic is finishing the fight. The teen star has built his career on flattening opponents early and often, and he has no intention of adjusting the formula on April 29.
“Jojo” announced himself to the world with a 16-second knockout in his promotional debut back in February 2023. He has added five more highlight-reel moments to his resume, proving that his knockout power is no joke.
The Malaysian-American dynamo is ready to put on a show in “The Land of the Rising Sun,” and he already knows exactly which weapon is going to bring the curtain down to secure his 28th career win.
He said:
“The right hand will be my match-winning tool. You can never count out the right hand. I’ve knocked out so many people with the right overhand or right cross, and I don’t feel like he’s any different from the other opponents.
“Maybe I could get the job done in round two or round three. But round one wouldn’t be surprising either.”
Enemy Territory, No Problem
Johan Ghazali does not need anyone to explain to him what competing at ONE SAMURAI 1 means, as he has fought on some of the biggest events in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
The history of Japanese martial arts, the scale of the card, and the chance to represent Malaysia on a platform that few have ever graced have combined to produce the kind of moment “Jojo” has been building toward for most of his young career.
Ghazali said:
“I’m excited. I’m getting used to being on the big cards, but every one is always very fun. And I’m proud to be one of the few Malaysians to compete in Japan under ONE Championship.
“I’ve been to a few places now – Lumpinee Stadium [in Thailand], Ball Arena in Denver. That U.S. one was probably the craziest of the lot. But I’m excited to see what it’s like in the Ariake Arena.”
The pride of representing his country on the inaugural edition of ONE SAMURAI comes with one small catch: the rest of the arena will be in full support of their hometown hero.
Ghazali is entirely at peace with that, though. He has walked into rooms where the cheers were never his, and he has walked out with his hand raised more often than not.
As such, the 19-year-old is certain Tokyo will be no different:
“When you’re fighting, when you’re in that ring, it’s just between my opponent and me. I know the crowd will have Shimon’s back, but it won’t get to me. We’ll be locked in.”
