ONE: Title-chasing Denice Zamboanga open for third Ham Seo Hee bout

FILE – Denice Zamboanga (left) and Ham Seo Hee during their ONE atomweight Grand Prix bout in September 2021. ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Unlike in her first fight against Ham Seo Hee which ended in a highly disputed decision, Denice Zamboanga graciously accepted defeat to her South Korean rival in their rematch last March.

But the Filipino atomweight star wouldn’t mind having another shot at Ham in the future.

“I don’t have any complaints about it. It was clear to me that she won,” Zamboanga admitted in Filipino in a Zoom interview with INQUIRER.net on Tuesday.

“[But] I don’t see any problem even if we fight again. But if we do end up fighting again, I’m going to make sure that I’m going to win,” said Zamboanga, who lost to Ham via unanimous decision in their second clash.

Zamboanga was the former top atomweight contender in ONE but back-to-back losses to Ham saw her slip to third in the latest standings.

Zamboanga’s recent setback, however, only fueled her dream to become a world champion as she eyes to get that elusive title shot she rightfully deserves.

Her road toward a title could see a third bout with Ham, who is at number two in the division rankings.

The 25-year-old Zamboanga believes she is just a win away from a potential crack at the crown, which is still held by Angela Lee.

“Actually, if I get a chance to face the No. 1 ranked [fighter] and then, Ham and Angela Lee fight, the winner of that fight will go up against the winner between Stamp and myself next for the title,” said Zamboanga, who has been training two to three times a day aiming to stay in tiptop shape for a possible bout later this year.