Kelly inspired by Pacquiao’s competitiveness even at career’s twilight

MACAU — Eric Kelly is taking on a legendary Japanese, and the former believes a page off Manny Pacquiao’s book will keep him afloat in ONE Championship’s Kings & Conquerors card Saturday night.

“Isa sa nag-inspire sa akin na talagang lalaban pa uli ako, of course, ‘yung legend natin na si Manny,” the fighter out of Baguio City said.

“Kahit ganoon ‘yung edad niya, gusto pa rin niya lumaban. Kaya ako, mas matanda sa akin si Pacquiao, [so] pwede pa pala,” he continued.

Pacquiao, easily the greatest Filipino boxer ever, is three years older than Kelly. The boxer-senator, who came out of retirement in 2016, announced his return in a resounding style: unseating Jessie Vargas as WBO’s new welterweight champion.

Kelly, 35, said that while he is nearing the least optimal age for fighting, his foe Kotetsu Boku is on a much tighter spot.

“Sa akin nakita ko kay Boku, ‘yung skill talaga nandoon,” Kelly said. “35 (years old) ako, Siva 40 kaya alam ko baka kapusin siya sa fight namin kasi alam natin na pag matanda, kinakapos. ‘Di na kagaya ng bata na mas mahaba hangin nila.

“‘Yun ‘yung advantage ko para manalo, ‘yung hangin,” he offered.

Indeed, Kelly will need the youth as experience is clearly not on his side. Boku has fought in 38 professional matches—a far cry from his total of 15.

“Masasabi ko lang, sana magawa ko best ko sa darating na laban,” youth Kelly, who kicked off a career that went on unscathed for 12 fights.

“Pinaghandaan ko naman nang mabuti kahit papano. ‘Yung training ko na bumibisita sa mga gym, sa tingin ko naging maganda performance ko.”

Kelly and Boku will lock horns in the main card of the showpiece at the Cotai Arena here.