After exchanging wins and losses in his recent outings, ONE Championship star Johan Ghazali is ready for another breakout showing in U.S. primetime. At ONE Fight Night 32, the Malaysian-American will battle Diego Paez in a flyweight Muay Thai scrap. Holding the 18-year-old down at home is his girlfriend, Queena.
“We’ve known each other for a long time, way before I became famous. She’s from Kuching (in Malaysia). We were just childhood friends. Probably I’d say she was my childhood crush. We’ve been dating for exactly two and a half years. It was at the very early part of my ONE Friday Fights career,” Johan Ghazali stated in an interview with ONE.
Johan Ghazali’s confidence was never limited to the ring. When he saw his crush out at a mall, he knew he had to take a chance. After years of dating and establishing their bond, it was another risk that paid off for the burgeoning star.
“We just met at a mall, and I walked up to her and asked for her number. That was when it all started. She used to study there. But she’s studying medicine now. She used to study in Dublin, but now she’s in Penang,” the Malaysian-American said.
Elite athletes often credit their partners for being a part of their success. They offer stability and a strong support system that allows them to alleviate at least part of the stress. Those are crucial roles Queena has taken on as Johan Ghazali works to become one of the brightest stars in the flyweight division.
“She’s very supportive. She’s been there for me when I needed her the most. She’s there for me no matter what, and she always checks up on me. It has changed a lot. It has changed for the better. She’s my biggest fan and my biggest motivational factor. It’s important to be dating someone who can be your rock because sometimes when the world is against you, having a good support system makes it so much easier,” the promising prospect commented.
Still, Johan Ghazali is just a teen in love. With each performance, he is still looking to catch the eye of his darling and see her smile. As part of his family, “Jojo” hopes that he can ascend to the height of the division while taking her along for the ride.
“Since meeting her, I train harder. I do everything harder. I tackle obstacles with a better peace of mind because I know there’s people counting on me. I want to impress her as well, and that is why I try to do my best in everything I approach. I wanna do everything for her, and for my family, too,” Johan Ghazali lovingly said.
Ghazali is wise beyond his years, making sure that there is plenty of quality time outside of the world of Muay Thai. The schedules are often busy, but that is why effort is key. The 18-year-old wants to build his life with his love just as much as he wants to become a World Champion.
“When we get the career stuff out of the way, we always make it a point to spend time and develop this relationship. Even though we don’t have much time together, I want to make sure this journey, with the little time we can spend, can continue growing into one of the best chapters of my life,” Ghazali concluded.
ONE Fight Night 32 airs live on Friday, June 6, on Prime Video. The action begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
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