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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider ONE Championship chief Chatri: Belt remains with Angela Lee

ONE Championship chief Chatri: Belt remains with Angela Lee

Published Oct 9, 2020 05:23 pm
Photo from ONE Championship

ONE Championship chief Chatri Sityodtong made it clear that Angela Lee won't be stripped of her atomweight title.

Sityodtong added his voice in a lengthy Facebook post Friday, days after a feud sparked between Lee and No. 1 contender Denice Zamboanga.

The two athletes have been trading words the past few days after Sityodtong announced the upcoming Atomweight World Grand Prix.

"ONE Championship has never stripped anyone of his/her world championship title," Sityodtong said.

"For me, there are only a few reasons that an athlete should be stripped and/or be asked to vacate his/her world title: cheating, unwillingness to defend, criminal activity, or retirement

"Any other reason would be unfathomable. It is not right to take away someone's greatest achievement earned through a lifetime of sacrifice and hard work."

Lee was the recent to clap back Thursday, saying that Zamboanga should at least beat more contenders before getting a title shot.

Arrangements between the Lee-Zamboanga fight were affected several times due to the coronavirus pandemic and Lee's pregnancy announcement last week.

Despite the decision, Sityodtong, who has yet to announce the final list of contestants in the Atomweight GP, picked Zamboanga as one of her favorites in the tournament.

Should Zamboanga top the tournament and eventually beat Lee in the process, she has the chance to become the first female fighter in history to hold both titles, added Sityodtong.

But the ONE honcho reiterated that pregnancy should not be a reason to vacate the title, especially for Lee, who he considers as a "real superhero" and an inspiration for little girls around the world.

"Pregnancy is not a reason to attack a woman. We should all celebrate Angela's pregnancy. It is an extraordinary time of love and happiness in her life," the 49-year-old Sityodtong said. "Please join me in sending the warmest wishes to Angela for a happy, healthy, and smooth pregnancy."

Related Tags

Angela Lee Denice Zamboanga Chatri Sityodtong ONE Championship
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