Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario is banking on his teammate Eduard Folayang to emerge victorious when the latter collides with Singaporean sensation Amir Khan for the vacant ONE Lightweight World Title.
Both men are slated to square off against each other in the main event of ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS, which emanates from the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines on Nov. 23.
Banario’s five-bout winning streak came to a heartbreaking conclusion when he locked horns with Khan this past September in a losing effort.
After exchanging strikes in the opening minute, Banario was caught with a rear-naked choke that forced him to wave the white flag at the 4:34 mark of the first round.
Banario admitted that he became very careless in his bout against the young martial artist from Singapore, which he believes that Folayang is unlikely to commit when he faces Khan.
“I became careless and overconfident in our fight, but I don’t see Eduard making the same mistake. We all know that he is a complete fighter. He has this style that Khan will have a hard time dealing with,” he said.
“When it comes to strength, striking and wrestling, Khan will have a hard time overcoming Eduard in those areas. I’m not underestimating Khan, but Folayang is simply on another level. Both are complete fighters, but Folayang is a much more experienced veteran,” Banario added.
Banario also revealed that Folayang is much more motivated in training for the five-round championship clash with Khan.
“I see a highly-motivated Eduard Folayang in training because he didn’t expect to be blessed with another shot at the world title. He’s just so motivated for this bout and is ready reclaim the world title,” he disclosed.
Witnessing his Team Lakay comrade’s grind at the gym to be in top physical shape, Banario made a bold prediction on the highly-anticipated lightweight title showdown between Folayang and Khan.
“This is the right chance and timing for him to get back to his throne. He is ecstatic each and every time he’s training. I think Folayang can get an early finish. It won’t go full five rounds. The fans in Manila are in for a treat,” he declared.
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