MEMBERS of the famed Team Lakay vowed to give their best shot in front of an expected 22,000 crowd who will troop to the Mall of Asia of Asia Arena tonight for One Championship’s "Legends of the World" to be headlined by lightweight world champion Eduard Folayang.
Folayang, during Tuesday’s media presentation vowed to display his skills in front of a mammoth crowd and showcase the Filipino’s world class athleticism.
“Winning this bout is my top priority, to keep this belt on my shoulder. It is going to be tough, but I have my people to support me. I want to make everyone proud. I want to show the fans that Filipino athletes are world-class.” Folayang said.
Martin Nguyen, the current ONE featherweight world champion will be pitted against Folayang although sees this chances as rare opportunity, will be working doubly hard during the bout.
“Eduard Folayang is a great champion and embodies the true values of martial arts. I will do my best to take another world title home for my family and all of my fans. 2017 has already been a big year for me, and I am looking to end it with another belt on my shoulder,” added Nguyen.
Co-headlining the event is a flyweight title match-up between reigning titlist Adriano Moraes and challenger Danny Kingad.
The unbeaten Kingad, also of Team Lakay is a regional wushu champion and martial artist with a perfect professional record of 5-0 who posses tremendous striking and well-rounded grappling skills.
In his most recent bout, Kingad turned in a complete performance, putting his wide range of techniques on full display in a unanimous decision victory over Malaysia’s Muhammad Aiman earning him to square off against Moraes.
“I have waited so long for this. Ever since I joined ONE Championship, I had my eyes set on becoming champion. This is what I wanted when I became a martial artist – to be the best in the world. Now that it is finally happening, and I have this opportunity right in front of me, the feeling of nervousness quickly turned into motivation. I’m ready to showcase my skills in front of the world. I believe it’s going to be a good and exciting match with Moraes,” Kingad quips.
But Moraes have other things in mind.
“It’s my first time in Manila. I am very excited to compete against a highly-touted prospect like Danny Kingad. I respect him. It’s going to be a tough night, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m going out on Friday to try to keep my world championship belt around my waist,” said the Brazilian champion.
Expected to thrill fight fans are the match–up between former bantamweight title contender Kevin Belingon, as he takes on debuting Kevin Chung.
“If you’re a fan of non-stop action and excitement, come and see us at the Mall of Asia Arena. It’s going to be an amazing show. I prepared very hard so that I can make my country proud again. I know my opponent is incredibly well-rounded and highly-skilled, so I will surely not be taking him lightly. It’s going to be an absolute battle from beginning to end,” Belingon told sports scribe.
Chung on the other hand sees the bout with Belingon is an opportunity to prove his skills and heart as a warrior.
“It doesn’t matter who I am matched up against. What matters is that I am prepared well and that I am in great physical condition. Every day I put myself through the rigors of training to become the best martial artist I can be. I am excited for this showdown against Kevin Belingon. I believe there will be a big reward waiting for me if I win,” Chung said.
Two more Team Lakay fighters will see action tonight featuring Gina Iniong and former title contender Joshua Pacio. (Roderick Osis)