Stamp Fairtex: Angela Lee Should Fight Denice Zamboanga First
Stamp Fairtex has enjoyed a hot start to her mixed martial arts career. Riding a four-fight winning streak, the ONE atomweight Muay Thai champion seems poised to earn a world title shot in the not too distant future. However, her best friend and teammate Denice Zamboanga, secured a fast track to a title shot against Angela Lee with a dominant victory over Mei Yamaguchi at ONE: King Of The Jungle. Prior to the global coronavirus pandemic, ‘The Menace’ had been scheduled to face Lee for the ONE atomweight title.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post‘s Post Fight Podcast, Stamp said that Zamboanga deserves to challenge Lee for the title before her. Adding that she needs more time to prepare before she herself can challenge ‘Unstoppable’.
“Actually I would like Denice to go first to compete with Angela Lee because for me, I feel I need to train more, maybe a few more fights before getting in to fight Angela for the title belt,” Stamp said.
“I need more time to practise and improve my MMA skills, especially my ground game, because Angela is great on the ground. I need more time to learn. But I would love to fight with Angela Lee one day, when I’m ready.
In her latest outing, Stamp lost the ONE atomweight kickboxing title to Janet Todd at ONE: King Of The Jungle this past February. The 22 year old will return to action at ONE: No Surrender against compatriot Sunisa Srisen, in what will be her fifth mixed martial arts contest.
“Sunisa was set to fight Denice but after we realised Denice was out of the card,” Stamp said. “I was planning to fight in kickboxing but Sunisa is coming up to fight me in MMA. She has trained together a few times with me, but after we know we are going to fight together, Sunisa moved to another gym, because we’re gonna meet again in the ring. Sunisa has skills. She’s quite a new opponent for the global stage like this. However she is good, especially in her judo skills.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, ONE: No Surrender will be a closed-door event. This may mean that Stamp won’t be able to perform her signature ‘Stamp Dance’ walkout.
“I am a little bit sad because it’s a closed event, we might not have the walkout song, just walk generally into the ring. I’m a little bit sad we don’t have a song for me to show my dancing skills.”
The restrictions in place will also mean that Stamp won’t be ringside to watch her boyfriend Rodtang Jitmuangnon, defend his ONE flyweight Muay Thai title against Petchdam Petchyindee Academy in the main event.
“I might watch Rodtang from backstage, ONE Championship has regulations, with distance between athletes and people in the arena,” Stamp said. “But Rodtang knows I am always supporting him. I know Rodtang is able to do it.
“Rodtang and Petchdam used to fight locally two times before, but this is the first time they’re going to fight in ONE, the first time they meet for the [ONE] flyweight Muay Thai championship. Rodtang is training even harder than before, I see his improvement, he is in good condition. I will cheer for Rodtang to defend the belt because he is my boyfriend,” Stamp concluded with a laugh.
How do you think Stamp Fairtex’s best friend Denice Zamboanga will fare against Angela Lee?
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