Table of Contents
Nabil Anane has set his sights on an entirely different prize. The 22 year old former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion has officially launched his bid to represent Thailand in boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, beginning a new chapter in a combat sports career that has already taken him to the top of Muay Thai.
Nabil Anane will now begin preparing for Thailand’s boxing selection process under the guidance of his coach and manager, Mehdi Zatout. ONE Championship is also supporting his Olympic ambitions as he attempts to make the transition from professional Muay Thai to Olympic boxing.
Nabil Anane officially begins his Olympic journey
The announcement marks a significant development for Anane, who has spent much of his career competing under Muay Thai rules.
The Algerian Thai fighter trained extensively in boxing during his teenage years before choosing to focus on Muay Thai. That background could now prove valuable as he attempts to return to the sport and compete for a place on Thailand’s national boxing team.
Nabil Anane made it clear that this is not simply an idea for the future. His preparation for the Olympic project is expected to begin immediately.
His coach Zatout described the opportunity as a major challenge but expressed confidence in his fighter’s ability to pursue it.
“A huge challenge ahead of Nabil, but one that I truly believe is within his reach,” Zatout wrote while discussing the Olympic opportunity.
The move will require Anane to adapt his style to the demands of amateur boxing, where footwork, clean punching, defensive movement and scoring become central to winning rounds.
From Muay Thai champion to Olympic boxing hopeful
Nabil Anane has already built an impressive résumé before making the switch.
Born in Pattaya, Thailand, he began his martial arts journey with karate and taekwondo at the age of seven before moving into Muay Thai. He eventually became one of the most highly regarded young fighters in the sport and made his ONE Championship debut at just 19.
Standing around 6 foot 4, Anane possesses an unusually long frame and reach for his weight class. ONE Championship believes those physical qualities could translate effectively into boxing if he can adapt them to the sport’s different tactical demands.
He previously became the youngest WBC Muay Thai World Champion, although that record was later surpassed by his younger brother Yonis Anane.
Anane later reached the top of ONE’s bantamweight Muay Thai division and became the undisputed champion in 2025.
The timing makes the move even more interesting
Nabil Anane’s Olympic announcement comes after a difficult period in his Muay Thai career.
He lost his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship to Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon by unanimous decision in March. He then suffered another setback against Suakim Pongsuphan PK in August.
The Olympic project therefore gives Anane a fresh challenge at a crucial point in his career.
Rather than simply attempting to regain his Muay Thai title, he is now looking at a completely different competitive goal.
That does not mean Anane has abandoned Muay Thai. His Olympic boxing pursuit represents an additional challenge as he continues his career with ONE Championship.
Nabil Anane still has to earn his place
One important detail surrounding the announcement is that Anane has not qualified for the 2028 Olympics yet.
He has launched his bid to represent Thailand, but he still has to go through the necessary selection and qualification process before earning a place at the Los Angeles Games.
Anane is reportedly targeting either the 65 kilogram or 70 kilogram boxing category as he enters the selection process.
That journey will present a very different test from his professional Muay Thai career.
Olympic boxing places a greater emphasis on scoring clean punches, movement and technical efficiency. Anane will therefore have to make significant adjustments to a style that has been developed around kicks, elbows, knees and clinch work.
His previous boxing experience gives him a foundation, but the level of competition will demand a fresh approach.
A long road to Los Angeles awaits
Nabil Anane’s Olympic ambition also carries additional significance because the modern Olympic boxing environment rarely features established stars from major professional combat sports promotions.
For ONE Championship, supporting one of its biggest Muay Thai names in an Olympic campaign provides another opportunity to showcase the crossover between different forms of combat sports.
For Anane, however, the objective is much simpler. He wants to represent Thailand on one of the biggest sporting stages in the world.
The journey from Muay Thai champion to Olympic boxing contender will not be straightforward. He must first adapt his skills, earn his place through Thailand’s selection process and then navigate the qualification route.
At only 22, he has plenty of time to develop his boxing game. His size, reach, experience and previous boxing background give him a foundation to work from.
If Anane can successfully make the transition, Los Angeles 2028 could provide one of the most unusual chapters of his already remarkable combat sports career.
Your home for Korean MMA news, UFC updates and fighter features. Follow HanPunch.
About The Author
Join the Conversation