“I’m Desperate To Have the World Title Fight” – Zhang Peimian Not Looking Past Rui Botelho To Reach His Goal of Fighting for Kickboxing Gold
Follow Us
Zhang Peimian wants another chance at claiming ONE gold, but he knows that looking too far ahead might be dangerous.
‘Fighting Rooster’ will be back in action on Friday, November 3, when he takes on Portugal’s Rui Botelho in a strawweight kickboxing contest at ONE Fight Night 16: Haggerty vs. Andrade inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. He’s laser-focused on picking up a second win after defeating Torepchi Dongak this past March.
Zhang Peimian is eyeing victory against Rui Botelho at ONE Fight Night 16
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“Every fighter wants to win their match, and I’ll try my best,” Zhang told ONE in a recent interview. Standing in his way will be a Muay Thai veteran looking to prove that he belongs in the company of the planet’s most elite strikers.
Trending
Joe Rogan Sums Up Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul in One Line
May 11, 2024 06:53 PM EDT
“Financial Bloodbath”: Canelo Alvarez’s Reported PPV Numbers for Jaime Munguia Bout Raises Questions Over His Fight Purse
May 12, 2024 04:58 AM EDT
Watch: Ryan Garcia’s Mother Brought to Tears After Son’s Antagonizing Post About George Kambosos Jr’s Wife Draws Scathing Response From Veteran Promoter
May 13, 2024 08:47 AM EDT
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury Stats Comparison and Prediction: Record, Age, Height, Reach, Weight, and Knockout Ratio
May 14, 2024 07:55 AM EDT
“Nobody Talking Devin Testing Positive”: Ryan Garcia Goes Ballistic on Devin Haney Following Bombshell Doping Test Findings
May 08, 2024 01:23 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Boxing stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
While he has put in some exciting performances, Botelho has been on the wrong end of narrow decisions throughout his tenure in ONE. That said, his sole win in the world’s largest martial arts organization so far came in the only kickboxing bout he has taken part in. He’ll be hoping to replicate that success when he takes on Zhang, as it could immediately vault his name into the World Title conversation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After all, the Chinese star is the man to beat in the strawweight kickboxing division after narrowly missing out on hoisting the divisional crown against Jonathan Di Bella at ONE 162 last October. A perfectly timed head kick from the Canadian-Italian in the fifth round of their encounter sent Zhang to the canvas, and that proved to be the deciding factor when the fight went to the judges’ scorecard.
A title matchup is the goals for the Chinese star
Knowing he was a quick decision away from being World Champion, the Shengli Fight Club is hell-bent on redeeming himself in a rematch with the reigning king. However, he knows there is work to be done on November 3 first.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I’m desperate to have the World Title fight, but right now I’m more focused on ONE Fight Night 16. After I win, we’ll see what happens,” Zhang said.
Edited by:
Joyita Das