Joshua Pacio gave challenger Rene Catalan a good lesson which will be helpful in his ongoing preparations for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Pacio unmasked weaknesses in Catalan’s game when he freed himself from a leg lock in the first round before forcing Catalan to tap out in the second round of their clash for the ONE Strawweight World Championship on Friday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The experience gave Catalan a chance to refine his preparation for the 2019 SEA Games, where he is listed as a fighter in kickboxing.
“Hindi ako disappointed sa pagkatalo ko ngayon. I did my game plan. It’s a good experience for me and my team,” said Catalan.
The 40-year-old Catalan said he will need to increase the power of his punches and kicks. He will also need to improve his conditioning.
This will help him go places when the SEA Games comes around.
Catalan added that he won’t just be competing in the SEA Games. He will be there to win a gold medal.
The 23-year-old Pacio subdued Catalan with an arm-triangle choke in the 2:29 mark of the second round.
“When I got him down, I worked on the little details on the technique that I applied on him. And maybe there were little things that he did not apply. That’s why I got him,” said Pacio.
The 115-lbs Pacio now has a 15-3 win-loss record after pulling off his second straight win.
Pacio was among three Filipinos who won that evening, along with Geje Eustacio and Edward Folayang.
The former flyweight world titleholder Eustaquio got payback on his 2016 setback to CWFC bantamweight world champion Toni Tauru by using a technique he utilized for the first time.
Eustaquio unleashed a 180-degree reverse kick which knocked out Tauru at the 2:11 mark of the final round.
“I have been watching the spinning back kick of Kevin (Bellingon). I have been training for it early this year. But in my past two fights, I have not been able to apply it,” said Eustaquio.
The fight between Folayang and Mongolian opponent Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu got called off in the middle of the second round.
Tsogookhuu accidentally hit Folayang with a headbutt during a counterattack by the Filipino.
Folayang left with a huge cut on his left cheek area.,
