Reliving Joseph Lasiri’s Stunning Run Toward Two-Division Gold
This Friday, November 18, ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Joseph Lasiri will look to add another chapter to his Cinderella story.
In the co-main event of ONE on Prime Video 4, the Italian-Moroccan striker will vie for his second World Title when he challenges ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
After starting his ONE Championship tenure with a string of disappointing defeats, Lasiri earned his shot at two-division glory on the strength of three straight sensational victories – including a massive upset of then-strawweight Muay Thai king Prajanchai PK.Saenchai in May.
With each gritty performance, Lasiri displayed a true never-say-die attitude, endearing him to fans worldwide.
As he prepares to battle one of the organization’s biggest and most feared superstars, let’s take a closer look at “The Hurricane’s” epic three-fight run that led to this highly anticipated showdown with Rodtang.
Scores Tight Decision Over Rocky Ogden
Following four straight losses, Lasiri had his back against the wall when he took on former ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Rocky Ogden in November 2020 at ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX IV.
In a fantastic showing of determination and confidence, the 31-year-old marched forward behind a high guard and a tucked chin, stepping inside of his opponent’s dangerous kicks and pressuring him against the Circle Wall.
“The Hurricane” and Ogden went toe-to-toe for three rounds of close-quarters combat, with Lasiri getting the better of the exchanges by employing vicious elbows and rib-crunching knees to the body.
In the end, Lasiri was awarded the split decision, allowing him to finally breathe a sigh of relief while putting his promising career back on track.
Knocks Out Asahi Shinagawa In First Round
The Italian-Moroccan striker next faced Japan’s top Muay Thai competitor, Asahi Shinagawa, in December 2021 at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II.
As expected, their matchup was a furious firefight for as long as it lasted.
Again showing off his phenomenal close-range attacks – including a brief moment inside the clinch – Lasiri marched toward an opponent who was more than ready to answer with massive counter-strikes.
But just over two minutes into the fight, the man from Milan connected with a clean straight right hand and followed it up with a thunderous knee to the liver, leaving Shinagawa crumpled on the canvas.
Now riding two straight wins, Lasiri was given the biggest test of his career and a shot at 26 pounds of gold.
Dethrones Prajanchai PK.Saenchai In World Title Stunner
In May at ONE 157, “The Hurricane” found himself staring across the Circle at Prajanchai – the defending strawweight Muay Thai king and the owner of well over 300 professional victories.
Showing respect for his foe’s world-renowned skills, Lasiri started somewhat cautiously, weathering an early storm from the Thai superstar.
In the second round, though, the challenger found his groove with his trademark forward pressure, busting up Prajanchai’s nose with a perfectly placed uppercut in the process.
Lasiri then poured on more pressure in the third, suffocating and exhausting the Thai with an endless stream of elbows and knees in close.
When Prajanchai was unable to answer the fourth-round bell, an elated Lasiri jumped for joy, knowing he had just completed one of the biggest turnarounds in ONE Championship history to become the new ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion.
Next, he’ll aim to continue his stunning run and dethrone ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang to become a two-division king.
