Things may have not ended the way Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade wanted in his first attempt at the ONE Bantamweight World Title, but he’ll now get a second shot at greatness.
Andrade rematches John “Hands of Stone” Lineker at ONE Fight Night 7 on 25 February for the vacant ONE Bantamweight World Title at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 25-year-old Brazilian felt like he was close to finishing his compatriot in their initial battle, as he hurt his foe following one of his signature knees to the body.
Unfortunately, his second knee hit Lineker’s groin, forcing the referee to stop the match and call for a no-contest because the latter couldn’t continue. “Wonder Boy,” however, believes Lineker has no way out this time around.
“I think the fact that I came very close to ending the fight, that he was badly hurt in the fight, and that I defended all his attempts on the ground, makes a difference in the psychological factor,” he said.
“He knows I’m better than him. His chance of winning this fight is if something extraordinary happens. But we know that I’m the best athlete, that this is my moment, and that I’m going to be the champion.”
Sure, Lineker will definitely have more time to prepare for him, but given the quick turnaround of their rematch, Andrade believes all that is trivial.
“He will definitely prepare more now that he knows how good I am. But I believe this will not make a difference. Three months of training will not make him become another athlete,” Andrade said.
“I know how he fights, he knows how I fight, and that won’t change for the rematch. So, I’m sure I’ll knock him out one more time.
“This fight will end in a maximum of two rounds,” he added. “And it will definitely end with me knocking out John Lineker one more time.”
