Losing ONE heavyweight title at home not an option for Brandon Vera

MANILA, Philippines – Brandon Vera said he’d rather die than lose on local soil to Italian Mauro Cerilli in his much-anticipated heavyweight title defense in the main event of ONE: Conquest of Champions at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Friday.

“I’d much rather die than lose in front of the Philippines,” said Vera at Tuesday’s press conference at the Grand Ballroom of the City of Dreams.

“Hindi ko kaya, hindi ko kaya (I just can’t, really can’t),” he added.

Vera, 41, will have to deal not just with a game Cerilli, the CAGE Warriors heavyweight champion who has won his last five fights including four via knockouts to hike his impressive record to 12-2 (win-loss), but also the rust after laying off for two years.

Video by Erwin Cagadas/Philstar.com

But Vera, who has a 15-7 slate, was quick to brush it off.

“I’m only nervous because this is my first fight in two years but rust, no. If there is, I think it will be gone the moment Cerilli hit me. But I’ll be super ready,” said Vera.

For the 35-year-old Cerilli, he was just thankful he was given a chance to compete a legend like Vera.

“A few years ago, I couldn’t imagine I will be here to fight a legendary fighter like Brandon Vera. And getting this opportunity is a blessing for me. I hope I live up to your expectations and make a name here,” said Cerilli through an interpreter.

Another Filipino, Eduard Folayang, will go all out for redemption after he lost the lightweight title on the very same venue where he is scheduled to battle a fast-rising Amir Khan of Singapore.

Video by Erwin Cagadas/Philstar.com

The 34-year-old Folayang, who owns a 20-6 record, zoomed to the top by shocking Japanese Shinya Aoki and claiming the lightweight title two years ago before losing it to Martin Nguyen in front of the Filipino crowd a year ago.

“It’s a tough road for me after that loss but I have worked hard to get that chance again,” said Folayang, who is also seeking to join countrymen Vera, Joshua Pacio (straw) Kevin Belingon (bantam) and Geje Eustaquio (fly) as ONE’s current stable of champions.

Video by Erwin Cagadas/Philstar.com