Eduard Folayang. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philppines—If there’s one man who knows Lowen Tynanes to a near fault, it’s ONE World lightweight champion Eduard Folayang.
Tynanes and Folayang fought once back in 2012 with the American taking a technical knockout victory after pulverizing the Filipino champion into a bloody pulp.
And even though that was several years ago, Folayang (21-6) still saw glimpses of the man who defeated him when became a cornerman to Team Lakay stablemate Honorio Banario in January of 2019 in ONE: Hero’s Ascent.
Tynanes (10-0) was still a monster in the ground hammering down on Banario to take a first round TKO win in the quarterfinals of the ONE World Lightweight Grand Prix.
Folayang said the Tynanes he saw against Banario was the same one he fought, with not much changing in terms if physical abilities, but it’s the American’s psychology that has vastly improved in the years since they matched up.
“It was the same old approach, but it was nonetheless a good performance,” said Folayang. “He will take you to the ground and punish you from there. If you compare my fight with him and Honorio, his style was the same. He’s still strong and powerful.”
“He’s the same fighter from 2012, in my opinion. I think Tynanes’ improvement is more on his in-cage intelligence.”
Folayang is set to defend his title against Shinya Aoki on March 31 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in ONE: New Era, ONE’s first card in Japan, and although that’s the priority on his agenda he’s not discounting a potential rematch with Tynanes.
“It’s very possible,” said Folayang. “We belong in the same division and he’s part of the World Grand Prix. The chance of facing him again has a high probability.”
“If ever we’ll meet again inside the cage or in the ring, I am open to it. I am ready to face him.”