ONE: Eduard Folayang takes on Christian Lee’s challenge

FILE — Team Lakay fighter Eduard Folayang. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

MANILA, Philippines — Focused on regaining the ONE lightweight world title, Eduard Folayang won’t back down from any challenge especially if it’s from the division’s champion in Christian Lee.

Folayang said he is more than willing to fight Lee and contend for the belt anew.

“It would be an honor for me, and of course it will be a different challenge,” the Team Lakay legend said.

Lee, the former featherweight contender, has only fought twice so far since moving up to lightweight.

The Singaporean star, though, needed only two fights to show he has what it takes to rule the lightweight class.

The 22-year-old Lee made a rousing lightweight debut when he stunned Japanese legend Shinya Aoki via second-round stoppage to win the strap in May of last year.

He then followed it up with a unanimous decision win over Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev in the Lightweight World Grand Prix Final last October.

“I am very impressed with his improvements,” Folayang said. “I saw his growth as an athlete.”

The 36-year-old Folayang, who has lost three of his last four fights, will have to climb the lightweight ladder first before getting a shot at Lee.

“It’s going to be a very challenging match if I face Christian Lee. I know I am still far from a world title match, but in the future, I look forward to facing him,” Folayang said.

“It will be a big challenge for me if we face each other. I want to face him, and I hope he remains the champ by then.”

Lee is set to defend his title against Iuri Lapicus sometime in the future.