Following his recent setback against Thailand’s Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit in ONE Championship Circle, Ilonggo Robin Catalan is back to the drawing board.
Nicknamed “The Ilonggo,” Catalan lost to Mitsatit during their clash last May 11, 2019, at ONE: Warriors of Light.
Mitsatit scores a victory via stoppage after landing a devastating knee to the midsection of Catalan.
While the loss was disheartening, Catalan said he learned from the experience.
“Even though I lost, I know that I still had a good performance. I just fell short in the end,” he added.
The 28-year-old fighter remains in high spirits even after losing against the young Thai star. He said he couldn’t help but feel at a loss, especially after coming close to a submission finish early in the first round.
Catalan shared he will get back to the gym, learn from his mistakes, and work harder so that he does not have to look back on moral victories anymore.
Im sure this loss will help me more, and I’ll only get better after this. Theres no other way but up for my career,” he added.
Meanwhile, another fighter from Silay City is set to fight for the World Boxing Council-Asia Boxing Council (WBC-Asia) bantamweight belt on May 18,
Sonny Boy Jaro will face Thai boxer Nawaphon Kaikanha at the Workpoint Studio in Bang Phun, Thailand.
The Negrense boxer previously held the WBC world flyweight title, WBC international super flyweight title, Asia Boxing Federation bantamweight belt, International Boxing Federation Pan-Pacific light flyweight belt, and Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation light flyweight belt.
Jaro made a triumphant return to the ring in March with a fourth-round technical knockout win over Indonesian boxer Boido Simanjuntak at the Angono Municipal gym in Angono, Rizal.
The Negrense boxer carries a 45-14-5 win-loss-draw record heading to his upcoming tournament.