Nabil Anane Eyes Olympic Boxing Gold After Yuki Yoza Clash At ONE SAMURAI 4
As a boy in Pattaya, Nabil Anane actually preferred boxing. He spent roughly 18 months learning the sport before Muay Thai offered a clearer path, and that path eventually made him a ONE World Champion.
Now the 22-year-old Algerian-Thai sensation is circling back, chasing Olympic boxing gold for Thailand at Los Angeles 2028. First comes a bantamweight kickboxing clash with Japanese star Yuki Yoza at ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
“When I was a kid, if Thailand had been big on boxing, I probably would have gone straight into boxing instead. But since boxing wasn’t that popular here back then, I went with Muay Thai instead. Though I actually did train in boxing for about a year and a half when I was young, right here in Pattaya,” Anane said.
He announced his Olympic bid at Evolve MMA in Bangkok on August 14, with ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong joining representatives of the Thailand Boxing Association and the National Olympic Committee of Thailand. He has never fought an amateur boxing match, but he believes his 6-foot-4 frame and heavy hands will translate.
“Fighting in ONE, I already rely heavily on my hands. Most of my knockout wins actually come from my punches. That’s definitely my main weapon – my hands are my strong suit. I just don’t talk about it much because I don’t really like letting people know what my main weapon is,” he said.
The former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion knows pure boxing will demand faster feet and a different rhythm. He also knows a national-team spot must be earned through selection, not handed over on reputation.
He has gained a powerful ally for that journey. Somluck Kamsing, who won Thailand’s first Olympic gold medal in featherweight boxing at Atlanta 1996, has begun coaching him personally.
“My goal is to go there, compete, and bring back a gold medal so I can show it off,” Anane said.
“Speaking of Somluck, he’s actually been coaching me seriously. He came to teach me once already and said he’ll be back in two or three days. He really loves it and said he’s fully backing me all the way.”
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