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“Fairly Boy” Kwon Received Il needs to show that he’s now not only a rising star – he’s a bona fide high contender.
The South Korean slugger will get an opportunity to try this when meets #2-ranked bantamweight combined martial artist Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon within the co-main occasion of ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II subsequent Friday, 17 December.
A win over the previous ONE Bantamweight World Champion would definitely put Kwon’s identify among the many division’s higher echelon, and “Fairly Boy” sees this bout as the following step on his inevitable highway to greatness.
“I’m the icon of a brand new era. That’s how I really feel. That’s what I imagine goes to occur,” the 26-year-old says.
“Belingon is de facto a tremendous athlete. However in some methods, I’ve already caught as much as a lot of his previous accomplishments. I’m dreaming of issues far more and past.”
The Seoul resident is not only dreaming, nevertheless. His actuality is vibrant and promising, with 5 knockout victories on the worldwide stage – 4 of them coming within the first spherical.
Provided that success, “Fairly Boy” is taking part in a key function within the the rise of South Korean MMA inside ONE Championship.
Lately, the nation has produced a few of the most fun athletes on the group’s roster, together with Ham Website positioning Hee, Kang Ji Received, and most notably, newly topped ONE Light-weight World Champion Okay Rae Yoon.
These stars have elevated the nation on the worldwide stage of martial arts, and Kwon is properly on his solution to persevering with that development.
He beat “The Ghost” Chen Rui in a Battle of the Yr contender final day out, and a 3rd consecutive victory over a celebrity in Belingon would additional increase the South Korean’s inventory within the division.
For his half, Kwon additionally thinks it could be sufficient to earn him a shot on the gold.
“I do know that there are lots of nice athletes within the high 5, but when I beat Kevin Belingon – who was the earlier champion – I feel I’m extra certified than every other athlete to be the following contender,” he says.
“I imagine Belingon remains to be in his prime proper now. All of the opponents I’ve gone up in opposition to to this point have been all champions that I feel are of their primes, so that offers me the entitlement to compete for the World Title by defeating them.”
Though Kwon has sky-high expectations, he doesn’t anticipate a simple night time in opposition to “The Silencer.” The 34-year-old Filipino has taken on a who’s who of the bantamweight elite, producing some beautiful finishes alongside the best way.
The Excessive Fight and High Health club BF athlete definitely respects his foe’s physique of labor, however he received’t be frightened of the famend heavy hitter once they sq. off contained in the Circle.
“He’s powerful. He’s robust. He has robust punches. He has an excellent kick – he’s somebody who’s good at hanging. And he’s additionally somebody with a number of expertise,” Kwon says.
“I’ve by no means been involved about punching energy. I don’t care. As a result of I imagine, in terms of a punch, it’s extra in regards to the timing than the ability.
“Whether or not my punch takes out my opponent or my opponent’s punch takes me out, it should all come all the way down to what occurs throughout the competitors. In order that’s all I care about and concentrate on.”
Kwon additionally received’t be drawn into any backwards and forwards about who’s the extra highly effective striker. Whereas the Crew Lakay fixture thinks he can end his youthful rival inside the gap, “Fairly Boy” is comfortable to let his actions communicate volumes. .
“He can say no matter he likes as a result of, in a contest, it’s not about what you say about your opponent or speaking about who’s the higher one,” the South Korean presents.
“No matter what my opponent may declare, I’m not bothered as a result of I’m simply going to be myself and show myself by means of my actions. I hope he proves his phrases together with his actions contained in the Circle.”
Given “Fairly Boy’s” again catalog and 90 p.c ending charge, followers can anticipate his actions to include slinging heavy leather-based with Belingon till certainly one of them falls.
However whereas a end is definitely high of the assured striker’s agenda, a hard-earned determination victory over such a seasoned competitor would even be a significant triumph on this essential battle.
“I at all times imagine in myself. Whereas within the Circle, I imagine I’m stronger than my opponents, [but] I don’t understand how I’ll win till I’m there in an actual bout,” Kwon provides.
“If I get the prospect, then I’ll KO him. If I don’t, then I’ll put together myself in order that I can win from the judges.”
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