ONE Championship: Denice Zamboanga fires back at Angela Lee – ‘never asked to be given the belt’

Atomweight champ and No 1-ranked contender continue their war of words on social media

‘Don’t say I’m putting the division on hold,’ says pregnant Lee – ‘the grand prix is its own accolade and accomplishment’

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Denice Zamboanga is the number one-ranked atomweight contender in ONE Championship. Photo: Instagram

Published: 3:21pm, 9 Oct 2020Updated: 3:20pm, 9 Oct 2020

Denice Zamboanga and Angela Lee have continued their war of words on social media surrounding ONE Championship’s atomweight division dilemma.

The row erupted on Thursday when Lee called the 23-year-old Filipino “entitled” and told her “sorry girl, you don’t get a free belt” after Zamboanga asked the pregnant champ to “do the right thing” and vacate her title.

The 24-year-old Lee (10-2) is set to give birth in April, with ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announcing an atomweight grand prix championship tournament will start in early 2021. The winner will face Lee later in the year.

“I would like to thank everyone for the support,” Zamboanga wrote in an Instagram post. “Also, I would like to be precise, I never asked for the belt to be given to me. Vacating the belt is for the sake of all the atomweight athletes who’s been also working hard for it.

“And I truly respect your decision not giving up the belt but a champion is someone who always respects other people not underestimating them. I’m not the one who decides to become a No 1 contender, it’s ONE. So please don’t underestimate me and my opponents.

“I can’t wait till you return to fighting. I hope you will have a safe and happy pregnancy.”