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Kevin Belingon predicts a hometown-like Filipino crowd against Bibiano Fernandes in Singapore
ONE interim bantamweight title holder Kevin Belingon of Baguio City's Team Lakay is expecting a massive turnout from Filipino fans when he takes on the reigning ONE bantamweight world champion Bibiano Fernandes in the co-main event of 'ONE: Heart of the Lion' on November 9 at Indoor Stadium in Singapore.
Home to thousands of OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), the Singapore Indoor Stadium has enjoyed a huge Filipino crowd whenever ONE Championship hosts an event in the Lion City.
When Eduard Folayang challenged the then ONE lightweight champion Shinya Aoki in 2016, the stadium exploded from the screams of Filipino fans that flocked the arena to support one of their own.
"Fighting in Singapore is almost like fighting in Manila. Thousands of Filipinos are based there, and they never fail to show support when their fellow Filipino is scheduled to compete at a ONE Championship event," said Belingon.
"I was there when Eduard Folayang pulled the unexpected against Shinya Aoki to capture the lightweight world title in 2016. Filipino fans were cheering for Eduard from start to finish, and the stadium erupted from the chants of countless Filipinos when he was officially crowned as the new world champion."
Now more than ever, Belingon is banking on crowd support when he takes on Fernandes in their highly anticipated rematch. And should the usual massive Filipino crowd show up, Belingon feels that it would help him muster an inspired performance to get crowned as the new king of bantamweights.
"I expect the same support and hopefully an even bigger turnout from Filipino fans when I challenge Bibiano Fernandes for the ONE bantamweight world title in November. Our country is known for its passionate and knowledgeable fans who never fail to show massive support for one of their own," told Belingon.
"Having seen for myself how big of a following ONE Championship has from Filipino fans, I'm confident that they will flock to the stadium and show support in what would be the biggest and most important bout of my career. A huge Filipino crowd will surely help bring out an inspired performance from me as I attempt to bring the gold-plated belt back to the Philippines." — LA, GMA News
