Zamboanga says feud with Lee ‘nothing personal,’ eyes ‘bigger prize’

Photo from ONE Championship

MANILA, Philippines — Undefeated Denice Zamboanga wants to set it straight.

In a feud that has largely enveloped the division, Zamboanga cleared she’s not antagonizing Angela Lee when she said that the reigning atomweight queen should vacate her crown.

“I’m not considering Angela as my enemy on a personal level, this is nothing personal,” said Zamboanga in Filipino Sunday via Zoom. “I was talking on behalf of the other athletes on the division.”

“But now there’s an even bigger prize,” she added.

Zamboanga, who was previously the No. 1 contender to Lee’s title, will be competing in the ONE World Atomweight Grand Prix with her sights set on becoming the holder of the two belts in her weight class.

Lee’s pregnancy paved way for ONE chairman Chatri Sityodtong to announce the Grand Prix with Lee unable to defend her belt for the foreseeable future. The winner of the Grand Prix will challenge Lee the moment she is fit to fight again.

As early as now, Zamboanga is already predicting that it will still be her who’s going to face Lee in the end.

“When they announced that the prize would be the Grand Prix championship belt, I immediately respected their decision and it’s fine with me if it’s not the interim title,” said Zamboanga. “The winner in the Grand Prix will have the opportunity to hold two titles.”

“I plan to capture the Grand Prix and the world titles in 2021.”