Jonathan Di Bella Promises Dominant Performance In Prajanchai Rematch
Jonathan Di Bella returns to the scene of his career’s only defeat carrying the unshakeable belief that he won their first encounter and the burning determination to leave no room for interpretation in their strawweight kickboxing unification bout.
The ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion faces two-sport king Prajanchai PK Saenchai at ONE Fight Night 36 on Friday, October 3, at Bangkok, Thailand, seeking redemption where his perfect record was shattered.
Di Bella genuinely believes the judges robbed him of victory in their June 2024 collision, fueling preparation that has reached obsessive levels under his father’s demanding guidance at their Montreal gym.
“I feel like I won the fight. After the bell rang, I thought I had won,” Di Bella reflected. “I know I did more damage. I know I hit him with some hard shots and hurt him. But I know he didn’t hurt me.”
That conviction has driven the most intense training camp of his career. The 29-year-old Canadian-Italian has sparred with ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion Regian Eersel while enduring his father Angelo’s relentless conditioning program designed to eliminate any possibility of late-round fatigue.
“This training camp has been hard. My dad’s been putting me through hard training sessions. He’s been getting me hard sparring partners, like Eersel, and other bigger and stronger pro boxers,” he said.
Di Bella’s analysis of their first encounter revealed tactical adjustments that could swing their rematch decisively. He believes he controlled the opening rounds before Prajanchai’s superior fight IQ allowed the Thai to steal crucial late moments.
“I feel like the first two rounds were all going my way. I feel like I won the first two rounds, and the last two, it kind of feels like he stole the last two rounds,” he explained.
The interim champion’s respect for Prajanchai’s cerebral approach hasn’t diminished his confidence. He acknowledges the Thai’s intelligence while questioning his physical superiority, believing superior preparation will prove decisive.
His promise for their unification bout eliminates any possibility of controversial decisions affecting the outcome.
“I know I’m going to win because I’m not going to make this a close fight,” he said. “And that’s all. I’m going to leave it at that.”
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