ONE: Adiwang Admits “Cardio Was Huge Success” After COVID-19 Encounter

PonFe Ekim 21, 2021

Lito Adiwang of Team Lakay. PHOTO REQUEST / TRISTAN TAMAYO

MANILA, Philippines – Lito Adiwang’s return to the ONE championship cage took a little longer after Team Lakay star’s encounter with COVID-19.

The strawweight contender was expected to face Jared Brooks in ONE at TNT II in April, but his US television debut had to be postponed.

Now fully recovered, Adiwang will follow his stoppage win over Namiki Kawahara when he faces Chinese Getu Hexi on 24 September at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

“After we fully recovered, we really made sure we prioritized our health,” Adiwang said in Filipino during a virtual press conference on Friday. “We made sure we didn’t lack strength and focus due to our encounter with COVID-19.”

“We found a way to get back to training in a safer environment in our gym.”

Adiwang said both he and ONE strawweight champion Joshua Pacio have contracted COVID-19.

Pacio will defend his title against Yosuke Saruta in the culmination of their trilogy series.

ROAD TO THE RECOVERY

Adiwang said recovering from COVID-19 was different from recovering from a fight as it took away so much strength.

“I admit there are effects especially when we were recovering,” Adiwang said. “It was really difficult because it’s not just about getting back to zero, but we like the negative aspects. My cardio took a hit. “

Getting back into top shape, however, is only one aspect of a boxer’s job and Adiwang has done his best to get back into fighting condition and try to make it into the top five of his division.

Adiwang (12-3) has been one of the most explosive strawweights in the ONE Championship with a 6-1 record so far.

“We needed a plan to recover strength after getting sick and it all started with the right mindset. The only thing I thought about was recovering and getting stronger, ”Adiwang said.