Pacio stakes crown vs Brooks

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — Title holder Joshua Pacio, from more than 200 kilometers away up north, will not trek down to Manila only to surrender his belt to a foreign foe.

Pacio (20-3) of Team Lakay stakes his ONE strawweight title against challenger Jarred Brooks (19-2) of the United States in ONE 164 on Dec. 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“This is a fight that will determine who wants it more. And I’m the champion here. I’m gonna prove that to him,” said Pacio.

Pacio’s duel with Brooks is the main event in the stacked card featuring other Filipino fighters including Eduard Folayang.

“I’m ready but I should be coming into the fight emotionless,” said Pacio, noting his foe’s intense and tricky mind games.