If I beat Stamp, I can challenge the champion, says Denice Zamboanga

Denice Zamboanga returned to winning ways at ONE on Prime Video 5: De Ridder vs. Malykhin earlier this month, and after doing so she is already eyeing up her future competition.

The #3-ranked atomweight contender is on a mission for gold after defeating Lin Heqin by split decision. Following the big win, Zamboanga used her moment to call out her close friend Stamp Fairtex.

“I have interest in taking the #1 rank, which belongs to my very close friend Stamp,” Zamboanga said. 

“If I beat her, I can challenge the champion (Angela Lee). I already fought most of the top five. She’s now ranked #1, and I want to get back to my #1 spot.”

The pair have maintained a strong friendship since crossing paths at the Fairtex Training Center in Pattaya, Thailand. The competitive spirit between the two has remained strong throughout, knowing they may face each other in the Circle one day. 

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While Zamboanga and Stamp have similar aspirations in the atomweight division, the pair are willing to let bygones be bygones should they ever square off.

“It’s very difficult to call out a friend,” Zamboanga confessed. “I love her, but this is business. It’s all about business, it’s nothing personal. We’ll go back to being friends after the fight. We love each other, she knows it.”

Stamp currently has her hands full and her mind focused elsewhere, as she looks forward to her mixed rules super-fight with Anissa Meksen at ONE on Prime Video 6: Superbon vs. Allazov in Bangkok, Thailand.

However, Stamp believes her Filipina friend needs to follow suit before reaching the Thai superstar’s level.

ALSO READ | Stamp Fairtex asks Denice Zamboanga to beat Seo Hee Ham first

After all, the former two-sport ONE World Champion earned her spot in the division with three straight victories against Alyona Rassohyna, Julie Mezabarba, and Ritu Phogat before falling short to Lee. “The Menace,” however, came up short in two consecutive outings before defeating Heqin.

“Tell her to beat Ham Seo Hee first,” Stamp said. “She lost to her twice. Beat her first, then let’s talk.”

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