Streaking Banario looks to sustain ascent in Shanghai

WINNER of his last five fights in ONE Championship, Filipino lightweight fighter Honorio “The Rock” Banario tries to extend his winning streak when he collides on Saturday with Singaporean Amir Khan in the co-main event for “ONE: Beyond the Horizon” in Shanghai, China.
Successfully turned things around for his career after a string of losses that spanned two years from 2013 to 2015 that pushed him on the brink of retirement, Mr. Banario of Team Lakay said he is determined to keep things on the upswing for him.
“Right now, I’m just motivated to keep on winning. Whether that means I’m on the road to another title shot or not,” said Mr. Banario, who was a one-time ONE featherweight champion.
“I just want to beat whoever they put in front of me. If that leads to the title, then I’m fine with it,” he added.
Mr. Banario (13-6) is coming off a split decision win over Adrian Pang in April here in Manila which further extended his winning streak.
He said that his match with Mr. Khan (10-3) presents a challenge to him but something that should do wonders for his career as lightweight if he gets to beat him.
“Amir [Khan] is a hungry, young lion and one of the top contenders at lightweight. He’s tall and long and uses his distance very well. It’s going to be a good challenge for me. If I can defeat him, I can gain more solid footing among the division’s best,” said Mr. Banario, 28.
“I know he is a great striker, but I am also. It’s going to be Muay Thai versus wushu when we meet at the center of the ring,” added the Filipino warrior.
ONE: Beyond the Horizon will be headlined by the women’s strawweight world championship fight between champion Xiong Jing Nan of China and challenger Samara Santos of Brazil.
Also competing at the event is Filipino featherweight Edward Kelly, who will take on Christian Lee of Singapore. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo