MANILA, Philippines – ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong has tabbed Filipino mixed martial arts (MMA) star Eduard Folayang as the nation's next global sports icon, following in the footsteps of boxer-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao remains the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, and has thrice been named Fighter of the Year while also winning Fighter of the Decade honors for the 2000s.
Yet it is clear that the "Pacman" is approaching the final stretch of his 22-year boxing career, having already retired in April 2016 only to return just seven months later.
"My dream is to see a local star become a national star, and then he becomes a global superstar," Sityodtong said. "I think that in Eduard Folayang, we have a big potential there."
"With Manny Pacquiao retiring, he is going to leave a big void in the Philippines, because he is a sports hero," he pointed out. "I believe Eduard Folayang has all the right makings of becoming the next flag bearer of the Philippines on an international stage."
Sityodtong noted that Folayang and Pacquiao share similar stories – both men had tough beginnings, and dabbled into sports to escape poverty and support their own families.
Both athletes conquered difficult odds and established themselves as among the best and brightest athletes in their respective sports. Yet despite their success, they have remained humble.
"Manny's story inspires everybody," said Sityodtong. "He evolved from a street kid to a global superstar, but he remained so kind and humble. That's what we saw in Eduard Folayang as well."
"Nothing has changed, even if he is now a world champion," the ONE boss said of Folayang, who won the ONE lightweight championship in November 2016 with a stunning upset of longtime title-holder Shinya Aoki. "He's just the same old Eduard as before."
After nearly 10 years in MMA, Folayang finally became a world champion with his remarkable third round technical knockout of the highly fancied Aoki, driving a hard knee to the defending champion's head before unleashing a barrage of unanswered punches that forced referee Yuji Shimada to wave off the fight.
"In order to become a legend, you have to beat a legend," Sityodtong declared.
"He did that, despite being dominated by Shinya Aoki in the first round. Eduard Folayang showed what it's like to conquer the odds," he added.
For Sityodtong, Folayang's character exemplifies the true beauty of martial arts.
"I love him as a champion. He represents true martial arts values. He is humble and courageous; he is mentally strong. He has a warrior spirit," he said. "He's always training and upgrading his skills."
"Today, he is a genuinely well-rounded mixed martial artist," added Sityodtong. "But most importantly as a human being, he really exemplifies everything that is wonderful about martial arts and Asia. He has the humility, kindness, strength, integrity, and courage."
"This is, to me, what Eduard Folayang is," he stressed.
"I really believe that he can become a global superstar in the same way that Manny Pacquiao is," he predicted.
Folayang will make the first defense of his ONE Lightweight World Championship against an unnamed opponent in the main event of ONE Championship's return to Manila on April 21.
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