Denice Zamboanga (left) after the split decision victory for Ham Seo-Hee was announced in the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix. ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Denice Zamboanga was adamant that she should’ve had her hand raised after her match against Ham Seo-hee in the quarterfinals of the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix.
ONE Championship’s no.1 atomweight contender said she thought the judges made the wrong decision, believing she did more than enough against the veteran South Korean with her grappling ultimately dictating the flow of the contest.
While one judge saw the win in Zamboanga’s favor, two awarded Ham with the win.
“I’m so speechless right now, for me I clearly won the fight unanimously,” said Zamboanga, who lost via split decision, in the post-event press conference. “I really believe I won the fight. I can’t accept and I’m disappointed with the judges’ decision.”
Seo Hee Ham 🇰🇷 SHOCKS Denice Zamboanga by split decision to make the World Grand Prix semifinals! Do YOU agree with the decision? 🧐 #ONEEmpower #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/6yFBh99GMl
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) September 3, 2021
Ham, the more experienced striker of the two, relied more on her counterpunching to tag Zamboanga but her strikes were more of a deterrent and not ones to put the Filipino down.
An accidental clash of heads midway through the third opened a gash on Zamboanga’s head but that didn’t stop the Filipino from once again taking control of the bout.
Zamboanga slammed Ham following the brief stoppage and had dominant position until the final bell.
“If they can review my fight and re-decide on who really won that would be great because for me I really did my best,” said a crying Zamboanga. “She didn’t do anything, I had control, I even took her striking. I still can’t believe the outcome.”
Zamboanga insisted that she doesn’t have any ill feelings toward Ham and that the judges were the ones who were at fault.
“I talked to her when we got to the hotel and I thanked her for the fight and that I told her that I respect her,” said Zamboanga (8-1). “It’s not her fault, it’s the judges’ fault.”