FILE–Team Lakay fighter Jhanlo Mark Sangiao. Photo from ONE Championship
MANILA, Philippines—Whether or not Jhanlo Sangiao is ready for the bigger fights will depend on his upcoming fight against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu in ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian.
According to his father and Team Lakay mentor Mark, Jhanlo’s preparedness will be tested in his bantamweight bout against Baatarkhuu at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Bangkok, on Friday, next week.
“He will be tested here. This fight with Enkh-Orgil will tell how ready Jhanlo is to go up in the rankings,” said Mark in Filipino.
“It will all depend on his performance. It’s really pressuring (for him) so we really need to prepare Jhanlo.”
Jhanlo won three matches in as many outings in ONE Fighting Championship, putting expectations for him at an all-time high.
Jhanlo passed his previous test with flying colors as he defeated Argentina’s Matias Farinelli via TKO in only 58 seconds of action, two months ago in ONE Fight Night 9.
As far as preparations are concerned, Team Lakay is highly focused on preparing for Baatarkhuu’s “ability to absorb punishment.”
“With Enkh-Orgil, we’re watching his ability to absorb punishment. He’s strong, he has wrestling and at the same time, has a will to make you surrender. That’s why we made a game plan for Jhanlo.”
Recently, news of the 21-year-old being the “new face” of Team Lakay surfaced amid the exodus of former top stars from the stable.
Jhanlo was quick to respond, saying he will just keep on working.
“If they say that I’m the face of Team Lakay, I’d be thankful but I’m working on all of this to begin with,” said Sangiao in Filipino.