(L-R) Kevin Belingon (Philippines), One Championship chairman and chief executive officer Chatri Sityodtong and Andrew Leone (USA). Behind is Kevin Benning, senior vice president and chief operating officer of City of Dreams Manila. (Photo by Jean Malanum)
MANILA -- Filipino Kevin Belingon has vowed to do his best against American Andrew Leone when they meet in the main event of the ONE: HEROES OF HONOR on April 20 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Belingon, known as The Silencer, has a professional record of 17 wins and five losses. Leone, on the other hand, has won three of his last five fights.
Both Belingon and Leone are seeking a rematch against reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes.
“I know Andrew Leone is a tough opponent, and I need to be at my best to win. It’s going to be one of my biggest matches to date,” said the 29-year-old Belingon during Tuesday's press conference at the Grand Ballroom of the City of Dreams in Manila.
“I am very thankful to ONE Championship for allowing me to be a part of this historic event. I can’t leave anything to chance. I have to give another great performance. Beating Leone would be the next step to the title," said Belingon, a wushu expert who is a member of the famed Team Lakay in Baguio City.
Leone said he's ready to face Belingon, whom he described as a tough opponent.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me. I can’t wait to go up there and show what I can do, to perform to the best of my ability,” said the 28-year-old Leone from Cortland, New York.
“Kevin Belingon is a tough guy. He’s a hard puncher and he has power. But I’m not worried about his striking. I’ve faced tough guys before. All I can say is that I’ll be ready," added Leone, who trained alongside some of the most talented martial artists in Asia at the renowned Bali MMA gym in Bali, Indonesia.
Also present during the press conference were co-main event competitors Giorgio Petrosyan of Italy and Jo Nattawut of Thailand, as well as ONE Super Series fighters Honorio “The Rock” Banario of Team Lakay, Adrian “The Hunter” Pang of Australia, Nong-o Gaiyanghadao and French-Italian Fabio Pinca.
The 32-year-old Petrosyan has a record of 85 wins, including a six-year, 42-bout streak - which is considered as one of the most dominant reigns in middleweight history. He began his professional Muay Thai career at the age of 16 competing between bantamweight and middleweight, winning multiple titles across each division.
Nattawut, 25, is a two-division Lion Fight champion, who has a professional kickboxing record of 60-11-2.
ONE: HEROES OF HONOR marks the world premiere of the highly-anticipated ONE Super Series, which aims to provide the world's best martial artists a prestigious global platform to showcase the beauty of Asia's striking arts such as Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, Kung Fu, wushu and sanda.
Chatri Sityodtong, chairman and chief executive officer of ONE Championship, said the ONE: HEROES OF HONOR is a historic event for ONE Championship, which is now the largest martial arts organization in the world.
"For the first time, we are combining the action and thrill of mixed martial arts with the authenticity of the world's most elite striking arts in ONE Super Series. I am excited to unveil our brand new ONE Championship ring where all the action will take place, as well as welcome the world's greatest martial artists to the most prestigious global stage of competition. It's going to be an evening filled with excitement as we showcase the best in martial arts," said Sityodtong.
Broadcast to a potential 1.7 billion on any given night to over 136 countries, ONE Super Series will harness the full potential of ONE Championship’s global influence in order to highlight the greatest in striking martial arts.
Sityodtong said the ONE Championship’s new mobile app will also be launched soon.
“The new ONE Championship mobile app is a true game changer in the world of martial arts,” said Sityodtong. “Soon, fans will have access to all our blockbuster live events and complete library of Hi-Definition content in the palm of their hands, all for free, and you can watch from anywhere in the world. It’s going to take ONE Championship to the next level.”
Sityodtong also bared plans to form a professional boxing league in addition to ONE Super Series, inviting the greatest boxers from the Philippines and around the world to join the promotion. (PNA)
