Kingad credits his maturity for surviving foe
MANILA, Philippines — If not for the maturity brought by his past six fights in ONE, Danny Kingad’s bid to return to contender status would’ve hit a snag.
Facing Japanese newcomer Yuya Wakamatsu, Kingad, a youngster out of Cordillera’s Team Lakay fight stable, said he was so eager to engage his assignment in striking.
Turns out, Wakamatsu was a knockout artist with a black belt in jiu jitsu.
“Nagulat ako nung na-‘One Punch Man’ ako, ‘bakit bigla akong napa-upo?’” Kingad shared during a scrum with Filipino scribes. “Naramdaman ko yung power niya talaga, yung punch niya kaya ayun iniba ko ‘yung gameplan.”
Quickly, the 23-year-old Igorot flyweight made an adjustment that enabled him to survive his foe.
“Sabi [ni Coach Mark Sangiao] sa, ‘yung game plan natin, suntok-sipa tapos take down,” he shared. “Eh nakikipag-strike ako … Gusto ko maka-knockout kasi eh, pero nung ako ‘yung naunahan, nag-iba ako ng game plan.”
Kingad’s only dent in his ONE record is courtesy of Adrianok Moraes, who was then holding the division belt. The former has now collected — including the recent win — a total of six victories, putting him anew in a conversation to fight for the title.
If Kingad is propelled higher in the challenger tier, he could face stablemate Geje Eustaquio — a match the young Lakay fighter has already struck off his list due to “respect.”
But outside Eustaqio, Kingad is willing to take on all comers — including another former champion.
“Kahit sino,” he shared. “Pero ang alam ko na tina-target, si [Kairat] Akhmetov. Paghahandaan ko ‘yon.”
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