Di Bella’s first professional defeat still burns because he remains convinced he won that fight. The ONE interim strawweight kickboxing world champion’s pristine 12-0 record ended at Lumpinee Stadium in June 2024, but his confidence never wavered. That unwavering belief in his performance has fueled months of preparation for this unification bout against the current king of the division.
“I feel like I won the fight. After the bell rang, I thought I had won. I know I did more damage. I know I hit him with some hard shots and hurt him. But I know he didn’t hurt me,” Di Bella said.
That conviction creates a unique psychological dynamic. Athletes who genuinely believe they were robbed often fight with desperate intensity in rematches, while those who know they lost typically approach sequels with tactical adjustments and measured aggression.
Di Bella’s path back to this moment validates his hunger. His interim title victory over legend Sam-A Gaiyanghadao proved he belongs among elite competition, while his tactical dominance in that contest showed growth from his first encounter with Prajanchai.
The training camp adjustments reveal an athlete determined to leave no doubt this time. Working with his father Angelo and bringing in elite sparring partners like Regian Eersel shows commitment to addressing the tactical gaps that cost him the first time.
“This training camp has been hard. My dad’s been putting me through a hard training session. He’s been getting me hard sparring partners, like Eersel, and other bigger and stronger pro boxers as well,” Di Bella said.
The strategic analysis from their first encounter gives Di Bella clear areas to target. He acknowledges Prajanchai’s ring IQ and pace control while identifying physical advantages he can exploit more effectively in the rematch.
“He has a strong IQ in the ring. He knows how to score points and dictate the advantage of the crowd, and he knows how to dictate his own pace. He’s very, very smart, but not the strongest fighter I’ve been in there with,” Di Bella said.
For Prajanchai, this rematch presents different challenges than their first meeting. The Thai champion now faces an opponent with intimate knowledge of his tactics and renewed motivation from feeling wronged. That combination often produces the most dangerous fighters.
The two-sport ONE world champion also carries the pressure of proving their first victory wasn’t circumstantial. Champions who win close decisions often face questions about their dominance until they can establish clear superiority in rematches.
But Di Bella’s confidence extends beyond just winning. He plans to remove all ambiguity from their rivalry. His promise to avoid another close decision suggests that he’s ready to end the fight emphatically rather than by points.
“I know I’m going to win because I’m not going to make this a close fight. And that’s all. I’m going to leave it at that,” Di Bella said.
