FILIPINO-AMERICAN striking ace Eddie “Silky Smooth” Abasolo expects nothing but a barnburner when he returns to Lumpinee Boxing Stadium this week.
“Silky Smooth” will electrify the crowd when he takes on American compatriot Luke “The Chef” Lessei in a featherweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 19: Haggerty vs. Lobo this Saturday, 17 February, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Though the United States isn’t exactly known for its Muay Thai, both Abasolo and Lessei have emerged as the country’s two best fighters in “the art of eight limbs,” and they’re certainly looking to impress at the iconic arena.
“It means the world to me because for me, I don’t know how others may see it, but me and Luke are some of the top fighters in the U.S., and we just so happen to be in the same weight class and at the forefront of Muay Thai as far as the U.S. goes,” he said.
“[We’re] showing the world that the U.S. has good, beautiful Muay Thai as well, not just being reckless.”
Though Abasolo lost his last fight, he certainly gained a lot of followers in Thailand. He pushed legendary Sitthichai “Killer Kid” Sitsongpeenong in a highly entertaining contest at ONE Friday Fights 22 last year.
That said, he’s certainly bringing a lot of experience from facing the all-time great to this match.
“I’m expecting to put on a show, and I’m expecting [Lessei] to bring it,” he said.
“Now I have a little bit more confidence knowing that I fought a good fight against the #2 fighter in the world, Sitthichai, a living legend. I gained a bit more confidence.”
But while he gained a ton of confidence facing and competing against a Thai legend, he’s not taking Lessei lightly, especially since “The Chef” also cooked up a solid debut against Jo Nattawut last year.
Abasolo isn’t entirely promising a finish – or even a win for that matter – but what he can promise is that he’ll put on a show in his return to Lumpinee.
“It’s going to be a tough one,” he said. “I have a feeling someone’s going to get knocked out. I know I’m going to bring it. I know he’s going to bring it. One of us is getting knocked out because I’m going for it.”