Team Lakay’s rough start lights a fire under Danny Kingad

Team Lakay’s Danny Kingad. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Seeing two of his brothers fall just sparked a fire inside Danny Kingad, who is all the more determined to deliver Team Lakay its first win of the year on Friday.

Edward Kelly and Joshua Pacio failed in their campaigns in ONE: Eternal Glory last Saturday in Jakarta as Team Lakay lost its strawweight belt after Pacio dropped a split decision to Yosuke Saruta in the main event.

Riled up by the losses, Kingad has no shortage of motivation when he kicks off Team Lakay’s bid at ONE: Hero’s Ascent at Mall of Asia Arena where his stablemate Geje Eustaquio is defending his flyweight strap.

“I’m really eager to bounce back after what happened to Joshua and Kelly,” the 23-year-old Kingad, who is facing Tatsumitsu Wada of Japan, told reporters Tuesday after the press conference at City of Dreams.

“I feel like I’m excited and angry at the same time. I just want to win this bad.”

Stakes are higher for Kingad this time, with the winner of his bout entering the Flyweight World Grand Prix where eight of the best in the division will face off in a last-man-standing format for the world title.

From the looks of it, the Grand Prix tournaments will be one of the highlights of the year for the promotion as the fighters they get to test their mettle against ONE’s newest prized recruits.

“I really prepared for this because there’s a chance to be in the Grand Prix,” said Kingad. “I’m really ready for this bout.”