Robin Catalan. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Filipino strawweight contender Robin Catalan will be taking on a familiar foe in Kritsada Kongsrichai of Thailand in his return to the cage.
Kongsrichai, however, isn’t someone Catalan has faced before.
But his brother Rabin did, and lost to Kongsrichai by first-round stoppage three months ago.
Catalan, though, cleared that avenging his brother’s defeat is not his motive in fighting Kongsrichai in the undercard of ONE: Iron Will on Saturday at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
“For me, it’s me pure business. This is my career. This is my work. I will fight to get the victory,” said Catalan. “I will just do my job and also do my best against him.”
“I believe my family will be proud of me if I get the win on Saturday. But again, this is nothing personal.”
Catalan hasn’t fought since suffering a second-round setback at the hands of former world champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke seven months ago.
He is raring to come back but knows he can’t get overly excited against an opponent like Kongsrichai, who is on a two-fight win streak and will be buoyed by the hometown crowd.
“I know that he is a strong opponent, and I will do everything in my power to try and beat him,” he said. “This will be a good match because win or lose, I am going to give it everything I’ve got and more.”
“My confidence level is great, and I am so excited about this bout because I really want to win,” he added. “I think that between both of our skills, we will definitely put on an exciting and explosive match for the audience and viewers.”
Catalan isn’t worried about fighting in a hostile territory. In fact, he is using it to his advantage.
“The difference will be how I apply my new skills against him. I am definitely happy to face a hometown hero like him. It challenges me,” he said.
“I am very eager and definitely very hungry to compete again, I want to win this bout and work my way up to face the best in this division.”