Pacio gets rematch assurance

Aside from being prolific strikers, members of the famed fight stable Team Lakay are regarded as “Kings of Rematch.”

That alone is a reason for Joshua Pacio to don a smile in his first public appearance since losing the ONE Championship strawweight belt to Japan’s Yosuke Saruta.

The 23-year-old fighter from Baguio City sported a bigger smile following a bold proclamation made by the promotion’s top honcho himself.

“In my personal opinion, I think Joshua won the fight,” said Chatri Sityodtong, ONE’s founding president, during the Heroes’ Ascent presser. “I was very disappointed.”

“He won because he won the exchanges, he landed the harder shots. Yes, he was taken down, but Saruta did nothing.”

A replacement challenger, Saruta dethroned Pacio via split decision, dealing Team Lakay its first loss of the year and stripping the club its first of four titles. The decision surprised not only Sityodtong but also spectators on social media.

“That makes me eager to get back to camp,” Pacio told the Inquirer shortly after hearing Sityodtong assurance of a rematch.

Pacio won the belt in his second encounter with grappling specialist Yoshitaka Naito.

Ringmaster Mark Sangiao is also convinced that his ward won the match. As far as inadequacies go, he feels Pacio was just a tad short in the confidence department.