WHILE pundits and observers have given him the advantage in his latest title defense fight in ONE Championship, still world strawweight champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio said he is not taking things lightly, especially against a veteran fighter like Rene “The Challenger” Catalan.
Returning to the ONE Circle on Friday for the promotion’s latest Manila event — ONE: Masters of Fate — at the Mall of Asia Arena, 23-year-old Pacio said he has a lot of respect for compatriot Catalan, 40, and is expecting nothing less than a very tough and spirited fight in their encounter.
“Sir Rene [Catalan] has been doing this for a very long time, even before I started taking up the sport. His greatest strength would be his wushu striking, and I would not consider his ground game to be his weakness as we have seen in his past bouts. In his tenure as a martial artist, he was able to develop his other skills, and that is why I have a huge level of respect for him,” said Mr. Pacio (14-3), who reclaimed the strawweight belt over Japanese Yosuke Saruta in his last fight in April here in Manila.
But the Filipino champion reiterated that despite the respect he has for Mr. Catalan (6-2), he is not allowing it to deter him from his goal and is bent on coming out on top come fight night to continue to assert his standing in the division.
“I mentioned before in an interview that I want to take him out in the first three rounds. It is something I am determined to accomplish, and I know that he plans to do the same. He has been working hard for this opportunity, and I am not willing to let go of this title,” said Mr. Pacio, currently the lone ONE world champion in Team Lakay.
Mr. Pacio went on to say that he is going into the fight with his Team Lakay stable mates in mind, in light of the current struggles they have been having in the promotion.
“I will do everything I can to defend my title and show the world the fighting spirit of Team Lakay,” he said.
Adding, “We failed to have the same success as we had last year, but I am not going to fail my family in Team Lakay on Nov. 8. This is my time and my title, and I am not going to lose it again.”
In Japan last month, Team Lakay stalwarts and former champions Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon and Honorio “The Rock” Banario both lost their respective fights.
Also falling short was Danny “The King” Kingad, who bowed to American Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in the flyweight grand prix final. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
