By Paul Gelario
Defending One Fighting Championship Filipino heavyweight champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera told reporters he is ready to give his all, even his life when he fights Italian challenger Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli in the ONE: Conquest of Warriors at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.
“I would rather die than lose in the Philippines,” the 41-year-old Vera said during the ONE presser at the City of Dreams on Tuesday.
Despite a two-year vacancy, Vera is confident that he can defend his ONE heavyweight crown against Cerilli, drawing a roaring cheer from the crowd.
“Am I ready after spending two years away from the cage? Hell yes,” he said.
But Cerilli was unfazed of the cheers of the crowd at the full-packed venue.
“I know Brandon (Vera) is the local hero and I have all the respect for him, but I will do my best to win the title,” Cerilli said.
In other weight categories, Baguio-raised Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will clash with Singaporean Amir Khan for the vacant ONE lightweight title.
Folayang said that even after his loss last year, he believed that there is always a chance of coming back.
“Even if you fall, there’s 100% chance we can come back,” Folayang said. “Last year, things didn’t go as expected. I lost the title. But this year is a new chapter.”
Khan claimed that he is 100 percent confident of claiming the crown himself.
“I have all due respect for (Eduard) Folayang, he is a great martial artist. I am coming for the title. I am 100 percent confident of becoming world champion,” Khan said.
With two weight categories clashing for glory, ONE group CFO and Chairman of Greater China, Hua Fung Teh believes this is the biggest fight in Manila’s history.
“I will say this. We never had an event both competing titles at the same time. This is the biggest championship card in Manila ever,” Teh said.
The press conference was also attended by CMO of Zilingo, Marita Abraham, and City of Dreams’ Director of Marketing Operations, Nathan Sorenson.
