24-year-old Ellis Badr Barboza has his first shot at ONE Championship gold on Friday, February 4. At ONE Battle Evening 28 on Prime Video, Barboza challenges Prajanchai PK Saenchai for the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship. It’s a dream match for the Brit who has appeared as much as the Thai star since coming into the game.
“I’ve been following Prajanchai. Humorous sufficient, I used to observe Prajanchai once I was in Dubai on the treadmill. I’d put his fights on and I’d research and say, ‘Okay, sooner or later I wish to combat in ONE Championship and that is my division.’ I’d been watching Prajanchai for years once I first began, as properly. He’s a legend of the game. You’ll be able to’t take something away from what he’s finished. So now it’s a giant honor to step within the ring with a reputation like Prajanchai,” Ellis Badr Barboza advised ONE.
Two-sport king Prajanchai places his ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title on the road towards English bruiser Ellis Badr Barboza on February 7 at ONE Battle Evening 28 on Prime Video 👑 Can “El Jefe” dethrone the Thai famous person?#ONEFightNight28 | Feb 7 at 8PM ET 🎟️ Tickets 👉… pic.twitter.com/6KG0BRcsIX
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) January 4, 2025
Ellis Badr Barboza Set to Show That Youth Conquers Over Veteran Fighter
The 30-year-old Prajanchai stays on the apex of the game as a two-sport World Champion. Nonetheless, Ellis Badr Barboza is banking on his youthful vigor to make up for the discrepancy in expertise. “El Jefe” believes the reigning strawweight king is resting on his laurels and now’s his alternative to strike.
“I believe the weak spot of Prajanchai is that I’m extra younger. I’m extra hungry. I would like this extra. I’m extra daring than him. He’s finished every little thing already, so I don’t understand how a lot he desires this. He’s already constructed his title. He already has the title. I don’t understand how hungry he’s. I don’t understand how arduous he’s coaching. I don’t understand how a lot he desires this. So I believe the weak spot could possibly be in his personal mindset,” the strawweight contender stated.
Barboza is hoping the title tilt additionally marks his first end on the worldwide stage. The British striker is aiming to finish the match earlier than the ultimate bell. Nonetheless, he’s making ready to go all 5 rounds and intends to maintain a excessive tempo to remain in entrance of the scorecards.
“This combat, I’m solely going for a knockout. In fact, I’d do no matter I can to ensure I’m forward on the scorecards. However I’m not right here simply to present it to the judges. I’m right here to complete him and take the belt straight again to the UK,” the Brit remarked.
Ellis Badr Barboza Hungry For a Championship
Ellis Badr Barboza’s shot on the gold got here rapidly, but it surely was a welcome sight for the 24-year-old. “El Jefe” arrived in ONE with the singular objective to grow to be a World Champion. With every little thing to realize and nothing to lose, Barboza is probably the most motivated he has ever been.
“I used to be so comfortable to get this title shot as a result of this has been on my thoughts for a really very long time since I signed to ONE Championship. I’ve nothing else on the thoughts apart from the gold. I’m not right here simply to combat and make up the numbers. I would like the gold round my waist,” Barboza commented.
Because the date nears, Ellis Badr Barboza is reflecting on his ascent to being a high contender. Rising up within the UK, he by no means noticed himself standing in Lumpinee Stadium going after a championship. On February 7, that’s precisely what’s going to occur and he’s hoping to affix different British luminaries in bringing gold again residence.
“To grow to be a World Champion from the UK is loopy. Like, when you’d have advised me 5 years in the past once I was simply an offended boy in England, I’m going to combat for this belt, I’d have been like, ‘What? No manner.’ It’s the head and to beat the Thais at their very own sport, you understand, from the UK, it’s a loopy feeling,” Ellis Badr Barboza stated.
ONE Battle Evening 28 airs dwell on Friday, February 7, on Prime Video. The motion begins at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST. The occasion is free to all Amazon Prime subscribers primarily based within the U.S. and Canada.
