Denice Zamboanga. Photo from ONE Championship
MANILA, Philippines—Denice Zamboanga and Meng Bo are two of ONE Championship’s top contenders for its atomweight title and they are already trading shots even before taking on each other inside the cage.
It started when Meng called out the no.1 contender and guaranteed that she would take the Filipino’s spot in the division’s rankings.
“We were supposed to fight last year, but COVID happened and it was canceled. I couldn’t fly to Singapore at that time,” said Meng. “But I must say, Denice was lucky that fight got canceled. If we were in the ring together, without a shadow of doubt, I would beat her up and take her spot as the #1 ranked atomweight in the division.”
“Denice is a stubborn and tough fighter, but if I was to identify her strength, she’s only good at punching, nothing else. I think my stand-up fighting techniques will be enough to give me the victory. I’m pretty confident that I can finish Denice with a flurry of punches and knock her out within two rounds.”
Meng is on a six-fight winning streak and her last win was a unanimous decision victory over Samara Santos in ONE: Unbreakable in January.
Zamboanga, who holds a perfect 5-0 record, did not take the challenge sitting down and issued her own warning against the Chinese fighter.
“It’s cute that she thinks she can knock me out in two rounds. I’d like to see her try, let’s see what happens. Meng Bo likes to talk a lot. But talking doesn’t win you fights. She’s just asking to be humbled,” said Zamboanga. “Sooner or later, we will see each other in the Circle and the talking will be over.”
Meng has been fighting since 2013—when Zamboanga was only 16-years-old—, debuting with a win over Zhang Weili in what was also the UFC World strawweight champion’s first professional bout.
Zamboanga may have entered the sport a few years later but she’s already scored an impressive win over championship contender Mei Yamaguchi that earned her the no.1 contender spot for Angela Lee’s title.
Both Zamboanga and Weng are expected to take part in the ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix.
“You’ll just have to wait until we are together in the Circle. I don’t really like to talk much unless provoked. I prefer to do my talking in the fight. I think it’s going to be a surprise for everyone,” said Zamboanga.