Joshua Pacio defends ONE title Saturday

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Joshua Pacio defends his ONE Championship strawweight title against dangerous Japanese challenger Yosuke Saruta tonight in ONE: Eternal Glory at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The 23-year-old Pacio, who snared the crown from Japan’s Yoshitaka Naito via unanimous decision victory in ONE: Conquest of Heroes last September, is optimistic of his chances, saying he is in his best form.

“I feel I am at my best right now,” said Pacio during a workout session leading to his much-anticipated first title defense.

Pacio, who owns a 13-2 (win-loss) record including four wins in a row, said Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao had mapped out a game plan for him.

“I had a tremendous camp and I’m ready to step up the plate and win the title, which means everything to me because it represents all the hard work that me and my team have put up,” said Pacio. 

Pacio, however, is wary of a grizzled veteran like the 31-year-old Saruta, who has an 18-8 card to show including an emphatic win over former champion Alex Silva in December last year.

“Yosuke (Saruta) is a very dangerous opponent and I am not taking him lightly and I’m ready for the toughest challenge in my career. I plan to showcase the best version of myself in the fight,” he said.

Saruta, who is going into  the fight as a replacement to countryman Hayato Suzuki in just a month’s notice, said he has a lot to prove in the bout.

“When I made my debut a few months ago, I wanted to make a statement and prove to the world that I am ready for a title show immediately,” said Saruta. “That is what I have done and now we are here and I am confident at the end of the night that I will leave the arena with my hands raised in victory and the world title around my waist.”