Denice Zamboanga Aims to Honor Manny Pacquiao and Inspire Filipina Athletes at ONE 167 Against Stamp Fairtex

Denice Zamboanga is on the cusp of making history for her country, with one huge obstacle on her way. On Friday, June 7, ‘The Menace’ will challenge her friend and former training partner Stamp Fairtex for the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship in the main event of ONE 167: Stamp vs. Zamboanga inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Filipina has seen many of her countrymen raise ONE gold, but no woman has ever risen the ranks to challenge for a world title like her. Speaking to Sherdog’s The Sheehan Show, Zamboanga expressed her excitement at the opportunity to inspire her countrymen and the next generation of female fighters in the Philippines.

Denice Zamboanga wants to inspire the next generation of Filipina female MMA fighters

The 27-year-old told the interviewer that she was proud, as always, to be representing the Philippines at the highest level and was determined to become the island nation’s first female MMA world champion. This, she hoped, would inspire more Filipinas to take up MMA.

“(It) is really a blessing because if I get the championship belt, I will become the first Filipina MMA world champion. So it will give honor to my country. I’m always proud to represent the Philippines because there are not a lot of Filipina fighters here. So, to make history, by becoming a world champion, I will be an inspiration to other female athletes here in the Philippines,” she said.

The T-Rex MMA representative will be in hostile territory when she goes for the World Title, and she expects the crowd to be fully behind Stamp in the same way that her home fans will be rooting for her wildly if the fight happens in the Philippines. But she is not too concerned about the venue, as she plans to emulate perhaps the most famous Filipina combat sports athlete in her next fight.

‘The Menace’ wants to represent the Philippines by fighting like Manny Pacquiao

The atomweight has made it clear that the location is not among her worries, as she has fought in front of various crowds throughout her professional career. “Fighting here in my own country is different. The crowd is different. The cheers and support are different. But I’m used to fighting in other countries,” she said.

In their first faceoff at ONE Fight Night 22 earlier this month, Stamp claimed that she will use her Muay Thai to honor her country when she fights Zamboanga. On the same night, the #2-ranked women’s atomweight MMA contender said she could rely on her wrestling to attack Stamp’s weakness.

However, the 27-year-old revealed in her latest interview that should they stay on their feet, she could honor her country by emulating a local hero and living legend. “I like Manny Pacquiao’s style. And I think everyone in the world knows him and his style. If I can copy Manny Pacquiao’s style [in my fight against Stamp], it will bring honor to the Philippines too,” the Filipina added. What are your thoughts on her comments?