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Italy’s Jonathan Di Bella has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in kickboxing at the age of 26. He'll look to put his talents on full display at ONE 162 when he challenges for gold in his promotional debut.
In a recent video posted on ONE Championship’s YouTube channel, the man who represents both Italy and Canada tells his backstory of how he got into fighting.
Watch the full video here:
Born in Montreal, Di Bella began training at the age of two and went on to have his first fight at just 10 years old. His father, a three-time kickboxing world champion, had opened up his own gym when he was 19, where he has trained his own son to become better than him.
Whilst he finds motivation in representing both of his countries and trying to bring kickboxing to the masses in North America, Di Bella believes he is destined to become a world champion. It's a dream both he and his father share.
“To win the title would mean the world to me and I would think that my dad would be very happy, I believe it's one of his dreams to see me as world champion.”
He added:
“My dad was a former kickboxing world champion and he trained me to be better than him. To win a kickboxing world title with ONE would mean the world to both of us”
He grew up watching the likes of Nieky Holzken and Giorgio Petrosyan compete in ONE Championship. Now, he will get the opportunity to realize his dream and become a world champion when he meets Zhang Peimian for the vacant ONE kickboxing strawweight world championship on October 21.
Jonathan Di Bella believes his opponent Zhang Peimian is “number one in the world”
Ahead of their fight for the vacant ONE kickboxing strawweight world championship, Jonathan Di Bella has given his thoughts on his opponent Zhang Peimian.
In the video uploaded by ONE Championship on YouTube, the Italian-Canadian fighter had this to say about the ‘Fighting Rooster’:
“I feel like my opponent Zhang is one of the best in the world. I believe he’s number one in the world, so I’m looking forward to competing with him and looking forward to coming out on top.”
Peimian will be looking to become China’s youngest-ever world champion at just 19 years old on October 21.
But despite the promise surrounding Peimian, Di Bella believes he has what it takes to realize his own dreams and claim ONE Championship gold when the two men meet.
“The reason I’m gonna win this fight is because I’m hungrier, more disciplined and more focused than ever and I can’t wait to shock the world.”
