Geje Eustaquio. RANDOLPH LEONGSON/INQUIRER.net
Suffering a split decision loss back in 2015, Geje Eustaquio vowed to bounce back stronger as he faces Anatpong Bunrad in a rematch at ONE: Dynasty of Heroes in Singapore on May 26.
“The last time we fought, it was a razor-thin decision,” the 28-year-old Igorot said, looking back on his tight defeat back in April 2015 here in Manila.
But Eustaquio (8-5) believes that he’s a better fighter this time out, noting that he has learned his lessons from his last three fights, something which he feels will be vital in his search for redemption against his Thai counterpart.
BACKSTORY: One FC: Three quick Filipino triumphs
“Maybe I lacked the quantity (in striking). There were also cases when his leg kicks, though those were weak ones, did connect. It didn’t hurt as much, but in the eyes of the judges, it had a big impact. So maybe this time, I’ll avoid those leg kicks,” he said.
And Eustaquio knows that he has to be the aggressor this time out, controlling the pace of the match as he seeks a decisive victory.
“This time, I have to make sure it will be a landslide if it will go to a decision, or if God permits, I will knock him down or submit him,” he said.
The Filipino flyweight is also gunning to rebound from his loss to Toni Tauru last December as he hopes to make Team Lakay proud in the Singapore card.
“I will go there and do my job. If God permits, I will bring home the victory,” he said. IDL