Angela Lee tells ‘entitled’ Zamboanga: You don’t get a free belt

Angela Lee celebrates after stopping Jenny Huang in the third round to defend her atomweight title in the main event of ONE Championship: Warrior Kingdom on March 11, 2017 in Thailand. Photo from ONE Championship’s Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines—Angela Lee’s war of words against Denice Zamboanga has officially turned into a feud.

ONE Championship rarely gets this kind of bad blood between its fighters but the verbal exchange between atomweight champion Lee and Zamboanga is reaching fever pitch with the Singaporean star calling the Filipino contender “entitled.”

“Sorry girl but you didn’t do anything to deserve my belt. No one took it from me, so why would I give it up?” posted Lee on Twitter Thursday. “Let’s see you win the Atomweight Grand Prix and then maybe you can start calling some shots.”

“The atomweight belt is mine. I fought hard for it. I sacrificed my blood, sweat, and tears for it. I waited years for the opportunity and once I captured the title, I didn’t allow anyone to take it away from me. If no one took it from me, then why should I give it up?

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The two have been going at each other through social media since Wednesday with Lee, who hasn’t lost in any of her title defenses, claiming Zamboanga hasn’t done enough to earn her top-rank contender for the atomweight title.

Zamboanga’s (5-0) biggest win of her career was against title contender Mei Yamaguchi but has only fought in the promotion three times with her last win against debutante Watsapinya Kaewkhong via first round submission.

ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong deemed Zamboanga as the no.1 contender to Lee’s title, but the Evolve MMA stalwart said that the Filipino up-and-comer should prove herself in the Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship.

Sityodtong setup the grand prix after Lee announced her pregnancy, but Zamboanga believes the champion should relinquish her belt while she’s out of action.

“She made a choice to become a mother, which is great I am very happy for her. However she [should] do the respectable thing and [vacate] the Championship belt herself and [not] wait for the organization to ask,” posted Zamboanga on Instagram.

Lee hit back, saying Zamboanga should first go through the gauntlet before getting a chance at the gold.

“Many people are too entitled these days. They think that gold should just be handed to them on a silver platter. Sorry but it doesn’t work that way. Denice, I know you’re an eager up-and-coming contender but I hate to break it to you, you don’t get a free belt,” posted Lee.

“You got to earn it by taking it from the champ. You have two decision wins in ONE. Your only finish was an 0-0 girl making her debut.”

“There are talented girls in the atomweight division but no clear no.1 contender. The Grand Prix will produce the true no.1 contender and I will defend my belt against the Grand Prix winner.”

Lee added that she trusts Sityodtong to make the right decision and not just give in to what the contender demands.