Denice “The Menace Fairtex” Zamboanga was far from satisfied with her ONE Championship debut win back in December 2019 against Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan – but after her second appearance in the Circle, she is all smiles.
The Thailand-based Filipina showed what she is truly capable of achieving after her unanimous decision win over Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi at ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE last Friday, 28 February, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“I am satisfied with what I showed tonight. Even though I only had a three-week training camp in Fairtex, I was still able to show my striking and implement my game plan,” Zamboanga said.
Asked what changed in this bout, Zamboanga put emphasis on one thing – her world-class striking.
The 23-year-old believes her stand-up skills were missing against Radzuan, so it was the veteran Yamaguchi who bore the brunt of Zamboanga’s deadly striking.
“The Menace Fairtex” stuffed most of Yamaguchi’s takedown attempts, while clinically taking apart the 37-year-old with her boxing and Muay Thai each time the two athletes were on their feet.
“I am so happy to show my striking in this fight. It’s something that I believe I failed to show against Jihin,” Zamboanga said.
“My hydration and preparation for this match was also a lot better. I felt like 100-percent and I was confident to show everything that I worked for.”
The win catapulted Zamboanga to contention after ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong promised her a shot at reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee.
Though surprised with the sudden rise to contention, the Filipina promises to be ready when the time comes.
“It’s all about good preparation for that fight. If it comes to that, I’m going to have to rely on my striking and grappling defense again.”
The world’s best strikers converge at the Phu Tho Indoor Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for ONE: HEART OF HEROES on 27 March.