Filipino boxing icon Many Pacquiao is responsible for putting the Philippines on the global map, something that Eduard Folayang may eventually continue. This is what ONE Championship chairman Chatri Stiyodtong believes can realistically happen.
“My dream is to see a local star becoming a national star, and then he becomes a global superstar. I think that in Eduard Folayang, we have a big potential there,” said Sityodtong.
“With Manny Pacquiao retiring, he is going to leave a big void in the Philippines because he is a sports hero. I believe Eduard Folayang has all the right makings of becoming the next flag bearer of the Philippines on an international stage,” he added.
According to Sityodtong, Pacquiao and Folayang have striking similarities as both men had tough beginnings with barely anything to start out with—from penniless homes to underprivileged surroundings.
Despite their successes in their individual fields, Pacquiao and Folayang remained humble as the two highly-decorated fighters preferred not to scowl and flaunt what they have achieved.
“Manny’s story inspires everybody. He evolved from a Manila street kid to a global superstar, but he remained so kind and humble. That’s what we saw in Eduard Folayang as well. Nothing has changed even if he is now a world champion. It’s just the same old Eduard as before,” Sityodtong said.
Last November, Folayang pulled off an upset victory over Japanese legend Shinya Aoki to become an MMA world champion after nearly ten years of strutting his wares in the sport. The 33-year-old native of Baguio City dethroned Aoki with a third-round technical knockout, driving a hard knee to the head capped by a barrage of punches.
“In order to become a legend, you have to beat a legend. He did that despite being dominated by Shinya Aoki in the first round. Eduard Folayang showed what it’s like to conquer the odds,” Sityodtong said of Folayang’s stunning win over Aoki.
Folayang will be defending his ONE Lightweight World Championship belt for the first time against a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the main event of ONE Championship’s return to Manila, Philippines on 21 April.
