Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Looking back, Honorio Banario could only be overwhelmed with how he has bounced back in his career.
After becoming the inaugural ONE Featherweight Champion in 2013, the Team Lakay stud saw a sudden fall from grace as he lost the title in his first title defense against Koji Oishi. That was the first of five straight defeats that almost drove him out of the sport.
But last year, without anything to lose, Banario made the decision to move up to lightweight, which proved to be pivotal in building back his confidence as he slowly got his bearings back.
His winning streak is now at four straight with Banario’s most recent win coming in an impressive fashion after he knocked out Jaroslav Jartim in the second round with a killer left hook Friday at ONE: Kings of Destiny.
“I was thinking of the past years when people have already given up on me because I was continuously losing,” he said. “That pushed me to not give up and train harder. Fortunately, the wins came and I got my confidence back.”
It also didn’t hurt that Banario was training with no less than the reigning ONE Lightweight Champion Eduard Folayang in Team Lakay’s central gym in Benguet and knowing that he’s sharpening his saw with the best in the division kept him in top form.
“I sparred with a world champion so I really believed that I was ready. I was confident that I’m going to win,” he said.
With another victory at hand, Banario said he would keep his relentless approach as he waits for his next foe.
“I’ll still continue training whenever my next fight will be,” he said.