At just 18 years old, Malaysian-American Muay Thai sensation Johan "Jojo" Ghazali is learning to navigate the spotlight that comes with being one of ONE Championship's fastest-rising stars.
As he prepares for his upcoming flyweight bout against Diego Paez at ONE Fight Night 32 on 7 June at Bangkok's iconic Lumpinee Stadium, the young knockout artist is reflecting on how his life has transformed since his explosive debut.
"It isn't easy, but I learn to cope with it every day. I learn to make the most of my time and all the roads and the moments from the past give me more experience. I'm better at handling stuff. I'm better at making things go a lot smoother now," Ghazali said.
Since bursting onto the scene with a spectacular 16-second knockout in February 2023, Ghazali has built a formidable team around him to manage his growing career demands. His support system helps him handle the business side of his meteoric rise.
"I have a bigger team now. I have a manager. I have photographers. I have a whole team behind me now. So it's a lot easier than it was before. All this comes with experience," Ghazali said.
Beyond his devastating striking skills, Ghazali has caught fans' attention with his distinctive sense of style. The teenager approaches fashion with the same meticulous attention to detail he brings to his fighting, favouring classic, well-tailored pieces over flashy designer labels.
"I'm a huge fan of fashion. I love looking good. I love styling myself up, and I love having a style that makes people notice me. I love being presentable. When it comes to brand, I love the regular Ralph Laurens, you know," the Malaysian-American said.
His preference leans towards timeless elegance rather than trending pieces.
"I love custom-made suits. I love suits that fit me like a glove. I do wear designer brands here and there, but I'm not a huge fan of them. I prefer more custom-tailored suits or something casual and timeless," Ghazali said.
Ghazali recently commissioned a special piece he's eager to debut.
"I had [a custom suit] made a few months ago. It is a pinstripe three-piece suit. It's a really nice suit. I really love the suit. It fits me so well, and I can't wait to wear it for a press conference soon," the teen star said.
ONE Fight Night 32 will be broadcast live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Select 2 at 6:30 a.m. India Standard Time (IST) on Saturday, 7 June.
Leave a comment
Please login to leave a comment.