The much-awaited bout between reigning ONE atomweight champion Angela Lee and No. 1 contender Denice Zamboanga would have to wait a little further before it comes into fruition.
But it is still likely to happen sometime next year, said Zamboanga, as ONE CEO and founder Chatri Sityodtong personally messaged her saying that he still wants to see the bout materialize soon.
"Nag-message sakin si sir Chatri din. Na gusto niya ko makita and Angela Lee fighting next year (Sir Chatri messaged me and said he still wants to see me and Angela Lee fight next year)," said the 24-year-old Zamboanga in an interview with Manila Bulletin Monday night, Oct. 4.
While things are looking bright for the future Zamboanga-Lee bout, the top-ranked atomweight fighter of Marrok Force expressed desire to challenge current No. 2 Seo Hee Ham.
Ham moved up to the rankings after scoring a controversial unanimous decision win over Zamboanga in the first round of the inaugural women's atomweight grand prix in ONE: Empower last month.
After review, the decision was upheld and the South Korean veteran advanced to the next round against Stamp Fairtex, former teammate of Zamboanga.
"Ako gusto ko talaga maka-rematch si Ham. Para mapatunayan ko talaga sino satin 'yong panalo (I really want to have a rematch with Ham to prove who really won the fight)," added Zamboanga, who owns an 8-1 record. "Pero aside from that, gusto ko pa rin makalaban si Angela Lee (But aside from that, I also want to challenge Angela Lee)."
Awaiting further instructions from ONE Championship, Zamboanga resorted to light training in Thailand with Marrok Force.
Zamboanga hopes to compete in the Circle once more before the end of the year, hoping to return to the Philippines sometime in December since she has not been home for almost three years.