ONE FLYWEIGHT Kickboxing World Champion Ilias “Tweety” Ennahachi meets an old foe in his first World Title defence.
He faces China’s Wang “Metal Storm” Wenfeng at ONE: AGE OF DRAGONS this Saturday, 16 November.
The clash inside Beijing’s Cadillac Arena will be their third meeting. Both warriors hold one win each in their last meetings, and on paper, this clash ticks every box of a classic striking duel.
“This will be my third time fighting him. I won the first time. (I believe I won) the second time as well,” the 23-year-old World Champion said.
“The third time is where I will show that I am just much better than he is. Everyone knows, everyone saw. I’m not going to hold back this time.”
Ennahachi’s last career defeat came to Wang in November 2017. Since then, the Dutch-Moroccan striking sensation has been on a roll, winning five of his last matches by knockout.
“After the fight against (Wang), I became much more confident and trained much harder,” he said.
“I really have to put every round to my name and go for it one hundred percent. Whether it is a championship or a single fight, I have to give it my all in every round.”
The most impressive of those victories came in enemy territory in August 2019. The SB Gym athlete outclassed “The Baby Shark” Petchdam Petchyindee Academy, dropping him with a salvo of punches on the way to a stunning third-round knockout in Bangkok, Thailand.
Once again, he finds himself competing against a hometown hero. However, the Utrecht native had zero concerns on whether the setting could play as an advantage to his opposite number.
“I have fought in China before, and I am happy to fight in China again,” he said.
“The crowd there, the people there are fight-lovers. I hope to entertain the crowd and the viewers just like I did the last time in Bangkok.”
“Tweety” refused to reveal what his plans are to defeat the Chinese martial artist, but the one thing he guarantees is fireworks when they meet in a long-awaited rubber match.
“Wang, on 16 November, we’ll fight each other for the third time,” Ennahachi said. “But this time, you’ll see a different Ilias.”
“I want to show the people a better match than my latest match against Petchdam and stay as champion, for sure.”
Astro Awani
Mon Nov 11 2019
Ennahachi will be facing Chinas Wang Wenfeng at ONE: AGE OF DRAGONS this Saturday, 16 November. - Instagram pic/iliasennahachi/ONE
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.