Edward Kelly Wants To Give The Crowd A Convincing Win In Manila
At ONE: Dawn Of Heroes, Edward ‘The Ferocious’ Kelly will once again look to have his hand raised in front of his home fans. But it will be no easy feat. The Team Lakay athlete faces ‘The Stalker’ Xie Bin, who has won his last six bouts and finished the last five.
Kelly, who has a 12-6 record, won his last outing, beating Sung Jong Lee, via a second round TKO in April at ONE: Roots Of Honor. And although the 35 year old enjoyed that win, he wasn’t 100% happy with his performance. Speaking to ONE Championship, Kelly said that after the victory, he was straight back in the gym.
“I was overjoyed with that win. However, after that match, I felt like I was still missing something, so that’s why I went back to training right away.
“I wondered why I didn’t perform as well as I imagined, and I was too tense and felt out of breath throughout the match. I thought I was too eager to finish off my opponent to the point where I wasn’t managing my stamina, so I was tired after that match.”
To make the matchup with Xie even more interesting, it will be the Chinese athlete’s first time competing at featherweight, having moved up from bantamweight. But Kelly doesn’t think it will play a factor in their bout.
“I believe that I’ve been here long enough to know how to handle an opponent like him. Besides, it will be his first time [competing in this weight class], so I could surprise him with my own power. He has never faced someone with my power in his current streak.
“I think his speed will be there, but I think I’m at an age where my power is at its prime, and that’s what I intend to use against him. I want to welcome him to the featherweight division with my brand of power.”
Although Kelly doesn’t expect the fact that Xie is moving up a weight class to play a factor, he does believe that his experience will play a factor against his 21 year old opponent.
“In all aspects, experience is an invaluable advantage because it equips you with the skills and knowledge you will need to face anyone in the Circle.
“You can’t learn everything through training, all those small details during a fight are only noticed when you’re actually in one. I just hope that I can show everyone that everything I have been through has made me a better fighter.”
And ‘Ferocious’ is confident that not only will he get the victory against Xie, that he will also give his hometown fans a convincing win.
“I think my determination to win is unmatched right now, especially based on my past experiences. I am really focused on getting the win no matter what happens.
“I think that although he is well-rounded, I can match up well against him in just about any aspect of the game. I think I can finish him by a submission or knockout.
“That will be my goal for the match. Of course, to win is the priority. I want to treat the crowd to not just any win, but a convincing one.”
ONE: Dawn Of Heroes goes down on August 2nd at The Mall Of Asia Arena, in Manila, Philippines.
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