One: Reign of Kings – Philippine fighters call on Manny Pacquiao to fight in Manila
Belingon (19-5) claims the interim world bantamweight title with a comprehensive victory over two division champ Martin ‘The Situ-Asian’ Nguyen (11-3)
“I hope this will happen, all fighters hope this will happen, and everybody in the Philippines hopes this will happen,” said Philippine bantamweight Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon.
“Manny Pacquiao came from nothing to become something so he is a huge inspiration for all of us.”
Belingon (19-5) was speaking to the Post shortly after winning the One’s interim world bantamweight title with a comprehensive victory over two division Vietnamese-Australian champ Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen (11-3) at the Mall of Asia Arena late on Friday night.
The victory sets up a showdown with One’s current bantamweight title holder Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes (22-3) of Brazil – who appeared in the cage at the end of proceedings to accept Belingon’s challenge.
Asked if he would like to fight Fernandes for the title in Manila, Belingon smiled broadly and said: “Of course.”
Asked if he’d like the fight to be on a “mega-card” that featured Pacquiao – as first mooted by One founder and CEO Chatri Sityodtong earlier in the week – Belingon broke into laughter, and then he said: “That would be the greatest.”