ONE HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMP VERA AT FOLAYANG SA CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS

MULING masusukat ang lakas at husay ni Fil-American fighter Brandon Vera at pambato ng team Lakay na si Eduard Folayang kontra kina Italian Mixed Martial Athlete Mauro Ceril­li at Singapore K.O. ar­tist Amir Khan sa ONE: Conquest of Champions sa Biyernes, Nob. 23 ng gabi sa Mall of Asia Arena.

Ayon kay Vera handa na niyang depensahan ang kanyang heavyweight crown laban kay Cerilli ng Italy. “Thank you everyone, it is an honor to be your champion, Philippines. I’ve been away for a while, almost two years, but don’t think for a second that I haven’t been training and keeping sharp. I’m stronger, faster, smarter, and better now than ever before. My team has made sure that I will be at my best by the time I step back into the ONE Cage. This is home for me. I really missed this and I am excited to perform in front of you all next Friday night. The belt is going to stay in the Philippines.”

Atat na raw uli siyang lumaban dahil halos tatlong taon na itong hindi nakaka­tapak sa ring. Lamang umano siya sa bilis sa kanyang kala­ban.

Samantala, ang Italian fighter ay may record na 12 panalo at dalawang talo habang si Vera ay mayroong 15 panalo at pitong talo.

Saad naman ni Folayang, “I am so happy for the opportunity to once again be fighting for the world title. As always, I feel motivated and encouraged to do my best. I want to prove to the world that I am not done yet in this sport, and that I can still be world champion. Losing the title for the first time, it was a very painful feeling. But in defeat, I have discovered my weaknesses and made efforts to improve certain parts of my game. Now I am ready to showcase my championship form once again. Amir [Khan] is a great young martial artist. He has shown tremendous growth since his very first ONE Championship bout. I cannot underestimate him because he is younger than I am. This bout is special because it’s taking place in front of my hometown crowd in Manila. It also represents a chance for me to redeem myself, because this is the same place I lost the title one year ago. I have worked very hard since then and now the opportunity was once again given to me.”