Team Lakay’s Gina Iniong in a ONE Championship match. ONE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Gina Iniong has been on an up-and-down ride since joining ONE Championship in 2017, but that hasn’t stopped her from dreaming big.
Hailing from the famed Team Lakay, Iniong (8-4) holds a 4-2 record in the promotion and has only won back-to-back wins at the start of her career with ONE.
But Iniong is ready to once again establish herself as one of the best atomweights in ONE and standing in her way is India’s Asha Roka.
The two are set to face each other in ONE: Fire and Fury on Jan.31 at Mall of Asia Arena and Iniong wants her fight against Roka (4-1) to be the stepping stone for her future.
“Everyone wants to be a World champion. We will get there eventually but right now this next fight is the most important to me,” said Iniong.
“I have never thought about how many fights I need left before I get a title shot. I am just focused on always getting that victory against whoever they put in front of me. I just want to showcase my best and win.”
Iniong has rolled with the best the division has to offer including title challengers Mei Yamaguchi, Jenny Huang, and Istela Nunes.
The Southeast Asian Games gold medalist holds a win against Huang, a loss to Nunes, and a personal split against Yamaguchi.
Her fights against the troika of title contenders thus serve as a lesson for Iniong in her bout against Roka, whose only loss is against ONE two-sport World champion Stamp Fairtex.
“Right now, the only thing on my mind is beating Asha Roka,” said Iniong. “That is what I am training for, I will take things one fight at a time. I believe in my abilities and I trust in my team. Whatever opportunities come after, I will take it.”
“Asha Roka is a striker who has very good boxing. I think her weakness is her ground game. I think I am the more well-rounded fighter. That is the difference between us.”