Sibling bonds are often characterized by unwavering support and encouragement, and the story of Filipino mixed martial artists Denice and Drex Zamboanga exemplifies this beautifully.
As the highly-anticipated ONE Friday Fights 19 on June 2 approaches, Denice stands firmly in her brother’s corner as he prepares to face off against a formidable foe.
Drex is slated to lock horns with seasoned veteran “The Ghost” Chen Rui of China in a three-round bantamweight clash.
The 26-year-old Chengdu Ashura Fight Club representative boasts an experienced 15-5 record with six knockout wins and three submission victories.
Moreover, Chen has been plying his trade in ONE Championship since 2019 and has figured in eight matches under the promotion’s banner.
On Friday, “The Ghost” seeks to reinsert his name into the win column at the expense of Drex, who has won three-straight bouts in The Home Of Martial Arts.
Denice is extremely confident that Drex will be able to achieve his fourth consecutive victory to establish himself as a major player in the stacked bantamweight division.
“I’m overjoyed that my brother will be able to compete once more. We want to demonstrate his progress and hard work in training. Keep an eye out for him because this fight will feature a new version of my Kuya on Friday,” she said.
While she is mum about the specific details of the areas that Drex has worked on in training camp, Denice guarantees that the pivotal encounter won’t need the three ringside judges to decide on the outcome.
“I’m pretty sure there will be a knockout,” she declared.
Another Filipino homegrown talent believes that Drex will come out on top of Chen when they share the ring at ONE Friday Fights 19.
Rising bantamweight star Jeremy Pacatiw feels that Drex stylistically poses a problem for Chen, whom “The Juggernaut” defeated by a clear-cut unanimous decision in his July 2021 promotional debut.
“They are both great fighters, but I believe in the skills of Drex. Drex can wrestle and strike, so if he can combine that, surely he will get the W,” Pacatiw said.
“Many people overlook Drex’s takedown defense and ground game, but if he can use that in the fight alongside his striking and footwork, I think he can control wherever the fight goes.”
Filipino fans will be able to watch ONE Friday Fights 19 on ONE Championship’s official Facebook page, as well as on its YouTube channel.
ONE Friday Fights 19 is set to take place at the fabled Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Fight Game Asia 