MMA fighter Mark Striegl said he looks up to Filipino sports icon Manny Pacquiao as one of his inspirations.
The 27-year-old Filipino-American said it’s hard not to admire the fighting congressman because of his rags-to-riches story.
“Manny is one fighter that I will always look up to. It’s his humility and his love for his family and God that I admire,” Striegl said in an interview with sports scribe Carlos Cinco.
“He’s the people’s champ because he worked his way up to the top and got there through sheer guts and determination.”
Striegl, who is currently based in Singapore, will be returning to Manila to fight in front of his home crowd.
He will be having a tough assignment in unbeaten Aussie fighter Jordan Lucas, whom he’ll battle in ONE: Spirit of Champions on December 11.
“I always love competing in Manila,” said Striegl. “Filipino fight fans are a passionate bunch and it is an absolute honor to fight for the pride and glory of being Filipino.”
If he wins, he might get that title shot against ONE bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes, who hasn’t been beaten in the past five years.
“Bibiano is a fantastic champion and of course it’s any fighter’s dream to win a world championship,” said Striegl.
”My style of fighting is a unique one. I always come forward and you’ll never see me in a boring fight. Come fight night, you can expect an action-packed fight where you never know what will happen next.”
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
