ONE Championship: Chatri wants Zhang Peimian vs Rui Botelho rematch, questions judges’ decision
- Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong believes Zhang won Fight Night 16 kickboxing bout, thinks ref ‘missed flash knockdown’ on Botelho
- ‘I don’t think Rui is a qualified title challenger, so I want a rematch with him as soon as possible, any time,’ frustrated Zhang says backstage
Former strawweight kickboxing title challenger Zhang demanded the promotion run it back after questioning his loss in Bangkok on Saturday morning.
China’s “Fighting Rooster” was all set to book a title rematch with champion Jonathan Di Bella had he been victorious at ONE Fight Night 16.
But his Portuguese opponent threw a spanner in the works, earning his first win since March 2019, snapping a 4-fight losing skid across both Muay Thai and kickboxing.
Two of the ringside judges at Lumpinee Stadium – Shane Byrne and Michael Green – scored the fight 29-28 for Botelho. Zhang earned the same score from the other judge, Ricky Sewell, with some fans left questioning the decision on social media.
Most fans’ complaints seemed to hinge on a moment in the third round when Botelho briefly dropped to one knee on the canvas before springing back up – though it was not adjudged to be a knockdown by referee Olivier Coste.
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“Of course, I am not a judge,” ONE chairman and CEO Chatri told the Post on Tuesday. “However, I disagree with their decision.
“I believe that Zhang won. From what I saw, Olivier missed a flash knockdown Zhang scored on Rui.
“It was definitely a very competitive battle. I would love to do a rematch soon. I haven’t rewatched the fight but I recall thinking that Zhang won. I was surprised by the judges’ decision.”
The 20-year-old Zhang also felt he had scored a knockdown, and was baffled he did not get the decision.
“I don’t think Rui is a qualified title challenger, so I want a rematch with him as soon as possible, any time,” a frustrated Zhang told the Post backstage after his fight.
“I’m a little bit disappointed,” he added through a translator. “I think I won the fight but after this I will review it. In the ring, I felt like I landed more punches and scored more points, so let’s see after I watch the fight.
“I thought it was definitely a knockdown because when he stood up he seemed dizzy. After this I kept on pushing forward so I was wondering why the judges didn’t go for me.”
Italian-Canadian Di Bella, who beat Zhang by decision to win the vacant title in October 2022, said he was open to facing either man for his next title defence.
“It was a close fight,” Di Bella told the Post. “I can fight both of them back to back.”
Di Bella made his first title defence last month in a unanimous decision win over Danial Williams at Lumpinee, but Zhang insisted he was not too impressed.
“I believe I will beat Di Bella,” he said.
“I have enough confidence, even for this fight I thought I was in very good condition. My kicks, hooks and punches were very powerful so I think I can beat Di Bella in the rematch.
“I didn’t get surprised by that fight. Di Bella did very good in the first three rounds against Williams. I thought he lost the last two rounds.”
