Like Father, Like Fighter: How Jonathan Di Bella and His Champion Dad Built a Legacy Together
- Black Belt Team
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Some fighters change coaches throughout their careers, searching for the right voice to guide them to greatness. Jonathan Di Bella has never had that problem – his perfect coach was there from his very first day in the gym, when he was just 2 years old, learning to throw punches in his family's Quebec facility.
Twenty-seven years later, as the ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion prepares for the biggest fight of his life against reigning divisional titleholder Prajanchai PK Saenchai at ONE Fight Night 36 on October 3 in Bangkok, Thailand, that same coach will be in his corner: his father, Angelo Di Bella.
It's a father-son partnership that has produced one of kickboxing's most compelling success stories, built on a foundation of mutual respect, shared passion, and the kind of trust that can only exist between family members who have weathered every storm together.
"He's been my trainer, my only trainer, since I was a little kid, since I was 2 years old. So yeah, we know each other very well, and we work well together," Jonathan explained, his words carrying the weight of nearly three decades of shared dedication to the martial arts.
The relationship represents something increasingly rare in modern professional sports – complete loyalty and unwavering commitment between athlete and coach. While other fighters navigate the complexities of changing camps, different philosophies, and competing egos, Jonathan has built his entire 14-1 career under the guidance of the one person who has been there from the beginning.
Angelo Di Bella, himself a two-time Kickboxing World Champion, has passed down not just technical knowledge but a championship mentality to his son. Jonathan's journey from a mere toddler throwing his first punches to capturing the vacant ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title against Zhang Peimian in his 2022 debut represents the culmination of a lifetime's worth of shared sacrifice and dedication.
Of course, training with your father isn't without its unique challenges. The gym becomes a place where family dynamics and professional relationships intersect, creating situations that require careful navigation and mutual understanding.
"Sometimes, obviously, we butt heads. But that's just father and son at the gym, you know? But we never argue. I always listen to him, whatever he says. Our relationship is great, especially now that I'm still fighting," Jonathan shared, revealing the mature approach that has allowed their partnership to thrive at the highest levels of competition.
This dynamic becomes even more meaningful when considering Angelo's broader coaching experience. While he achieved his own championship success as a fighter, his coaching journey with other athletes provides context for just how special his relationship with Jonathan truly is.
"[My father] has had other amateur fighters. He never had a pro fighter, but he had other amateur fighters. So, all the other people that were under him are kind of freaking out, freaking out that I actually made it on a big stage," Jonathan noted, highlighting how his success represents not just personal achievement but validation of his father's coaching abilities on the sport's biggest platform.
The upcoming unification bout against Prajanchai carries extra significance for the Di Bella family. Jonathan's only career loss came against the Thai legend in 2024 at ONE Friday Fights 68, a setback that provided both father and son with valuable lessons. Now, with Jonathan holding interim gold and facing the only man to ever defeat him, they have the opportunity to turn that learning experience into redemption.