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What Manny Pacquiao told Eduard Folayang before his first title defense


Boxing's lone eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao was one of the many personalities who came over to show support for Eduard Folayang in his first title defense against Ev Ting on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Folayang, who successfully defended his ONE lightweight title by unanimous decision, revealed he received words of encouragement from Pacquiao before the fight.

"I'm so happy he came. His presence was a huge inspiration. I was really encouraged when he said, 'You're one of the legends of mixed martial arts in the Philippines and I wish you good luck. We came here to support you'," Folayang said.

"It was really a big thing that an athlete I look up to came over. Us Filipinos are so blessed to have so many great athletes from other sports support each other."

The championship fight turned out to be a grueling contest like what many predicted. Folayang and Ting both gave their all inside the cage, but it was the Filipino's striking superiority that won him the fight.

"Style-wise we're both strikers, but I saw the hunger in his eyes and it impressed me. He gives everything into this sport and did everything to earn a title shot," said Folayang.

"He really did well, prepared hard for the fight. I felt I can overpower him in the third and fourth round but he kept coming looking for a win." —ALG, GMA News

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