Alma Juniku Says She Will Shock Stamp In Shanghai
Alma Juniku is ready to do everything in her power to upset two-sport ONE World Champion Stamp Fairtex on Saturday, 15 June.
The 18-year-old will enter as the underdog against the reigning ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion at ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST in Shanghai, China, but she promises to push Stamp to her limits in her quest for the gold.
“I can see this fight going toe-to-toe from round one to round five,” she says.
“I believe we’re just both going to go at it – I can’t predict how it’s going to end, but I know it’ll be a really good, tough fight!”
Stamp has looked unstoppable in her ONE Championship tenure so far in back-to-back contests against “Killer Bee” Kai Ting Chuang and Janet “JT” Todd.
However, the WBC Muay Thai World Champion from Australia is not fazed by the Thai superstar, and promises not to take a backward step when they meet in the main event at the Baoshan Arena.
She is motivated by the huge opportunity to compete on the global stage for martial arts, and will enter in peak physical shape, and with an unbreakable spirit.
“I’m training really hard. I’ve been working morning and night on my fitness and getting strong,” Juniku explains.
“When I jump in the ring, I’m really, really hungry. I want to win. I won’t let someone take anything away from me that is mine. At the end of the day, whoever’s the most hungry will get it.”
Juniku is confident in her ability to match her rival when it comes to strength and tenacity, but the real question is whether she can overcome the Fairtex Gym representative’s ever-improving skill set.
Stamp showcased completely different game plans in each of her ONE Super Series contests. Her kickboxing victory revolved around her powerful kicks, but her win under Muay Thai rules came thanks to her fast and powerful boxing.
Add in her dominant clinch game, and there is no obvious gap in her armory, but the Australian and her team have done their homework to find one.
“My trainer and I are working on techniques. I’m not going to tell everyone [what we plan to do], but yeah, we’ve watched her,” the Modern Warrior Muay Thai representative says.
“All I can say is she’s aggressive with very good technique – typical Thai technique. The main thing I’ve got to look out for is that right hand and her clinch game, so I’m going to do a lot of head movement and stepping out of the way to counter.”
Despite the two-sport World Champion’s fearsome repertoire, Juniku plans to meet fire with fire to achieve the victory.
Todd and Chuang both played Stamp’s game, and it did not bring them success, so the most important thing for the Brisbane native is to have confidence in her own offense.
“I’m strong and fast, and I get right to the point, so I land really clean,” Juniku asserts.
“My elbows and my hands are my biggest assets – I’m really strong with my hands, and I do a lot of damage with elbows.
“I’d like to win by knockout, but Stamp is a really tough fighter who takes punches well, so we will have to see on the night.”
When the forward aggression of both World Champion and challenger collide, the likelihood of explosive action is almost guaranteed in the headline match of ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST.
Juniku is relishing the prospect of drawing Stamp into the trenches, and she hopes her adversary is at her best so they can deliver a bout for the ages.
“I hope you’re well-prepared Stamp. I hope you’re ready,” she adds.
“We’re going to have a really good, hard fight, and I’m coming for that belt!”
