Zamboanga asks Lee to step aside

ONE Championship top female atomweight contender Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga of the Philippines responded to reigning ONE female atomweight world champion Angela Lee following her comments that Zamboanga has not done enough to win a shot for her title, despite the promotion named her the next challenger to the throne.

Zamboanga was unhappy with the champion’s comments and launched a challenge of her own. “I would like to give you a big congratulations. I am very happy for her. Motherhood is a very special experience for every woman. I think Angela will be a great mother, ”Zamboanga told the media in the Philippines. “Angela is the world champion, she should do the right thing like all great champions do. She must respect other wrestlers who deserve it and most importantly, she must leave the championship belt as she cannot defend it. “Most of the great champions would have done this right away, as soon as they know they won’t be able to defend their belt for personal reasons. “I have proven myself to the world. I am the number one contender. I earned it by beating world class opponents. I have already faced Mei Yamaguchi, the fighter who almost beat Angela, in a fight that I think Angela was lucky to win. He was in trouble most of the time during that fight. I never had a problem against Mei. Mei is a great fighter and I respect her very much. In my opinion, she is a better fighter than Angela. ”Lee made his feelings known after ONE Championship President and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced plans for a ONE Atom World Grand Prix Championship, rather than her pregnancy, which is expected to leave her on the sidelines for at least a year. The 24-year-old champion from Hawaii and Singapore says Zamboanga needs a few more big names on her resume to truly be worthy of a shot at the atomweight belt “Honestly, even though Denice beat Mei Yamaguchi, I don’t think that alone qualifies her to be the number one contender. The other girls she fought weren’t even ranked. The atomweight division is packed with at least 10 of the top talents, ”Lee said.“ I think Denice should have to face the top 10 girls first to really prove that she is the number one contender, and the World Grand Prix Championship ial Weight Atom ONE is the perfect way to do it. ” After defeating the highly respected Jihin Radzuan in her ONE debut, and then following that victory with a dominant victory over Yamaguchi, Zamboanga was expected to face Lee later this year or early 2021. But after the news of Lee’s pregnancy broke out late last. week, and without a clear comeback schedule, that fight is now in doubt. Zamboanga should be a participant in the Atomweight Grand Prix, although the ONE Championship has yet to announce the confirmed details. If Zamboanga enters the tournament, he will have to face many of the best talents in the division to make it to the end. Sityodtong says the overall winner will not be competing for the atomweight belt, but for a chance to face Lee on the line for the title. Zamboanga obviously feels like she is the legitimate number one contender, and she didn’t mince words when she spoke about what she thought about the entire test. “She made the decision to become a mother, which is great and I am very happy for her. However, he has to do the respectable thing and drop the championship belt. You shouldn’t wait for the organization to ask you. I am surprised that he has not made the decision to leave the belt, ”said Zamboanga. “In a world-class organization, when the champion cannot defend his title for some personal reason, that title will become vacant and the best fighters will have the opportunity to compete for that title. Otherwise, it will affect the rest of the division. Fighters in that division will be discouraged if this doesn’t happen, because they won’t be able to compete for the title. “I hope she does the right thing and makes the announcement herself. Be the respectable champion as I’ve always known her. When she’s ready to go back, I’ll be waiting for her. ”