Reece McLaren Keeps Winning Focus Intact Despite Change of Opponent

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Despite the recent change of opponent in his return to the ONE Championship cage on 9 March, Filipino-Australian dynamo Reece “Lightning” McLaren keeps his sights on having his hand raised in triumph.

McLaren was originally penciled to challenge Adriano Moraes for the ONE Flyweight World Championship in the main event of ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY, but the Brazilian champion pulled out of the contest due to an injury.

ONE Championship found a late replacement in Malaysia’s Gianni Subba, who was supposed to duke it out with former world title contender Danny Kingad on the same card that is set to take place at the newly-renovated Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The 26-year-old resident of Gold Coast, Australia admitted that there was a tinge of disappointment when he received the news that Moraes was forced to withdraw from the championship clash.

“I was excited about my bout with Adriano Moraes because it would have been a clash of two best flyweights that are entering their primes. However, there are circumstances that are beyond our control. It is what it is,” McLaren said.

Last November on the undercard of ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD in Manila, Philippines, McLaren recreated himself as a flyweight, making his presence felt in the weight class immediately against top contender Anatpong Bunrad.

With a mere eight seconds remaining in the very first round, McLaren caught Bunrad in an anaconda choke and then transitioned into a D’arce choke to force the tap.

Based on the impressive outcome of his flyweight debut against Bunrad, McLaren was awarded with a shot at the division’s top prize.

Even though he lost his opportunity to vie for a world title for the second time in his professional career, McLaren took the situation in stride and wished Moraes a speedy recovery.

“I am slightly disappointed, but it is safety first. If I was the one sick or injured, I would not compete either, so I hope he recovers fast and gets back on track,” he stated.

With Moraes out of the picture, McLaren turns his attention to Subba, who has been a household name in ONE Championship’s flyweight division, facing the likes Eugene Toquero, Saiful Merican, Anatpong Bunrad, Riku Shibuya and current ONE Interim Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio.

“Gianni Subba is my new opponent now, and I need to adapt quickly to his style. But our game plan is still the same, and I will execute that on 9th of March,” he declared.

A winner of six of his last seven bouts, Subba is a seasoned athlete with a stellar 9-2 standing in his young career.

Furthermore, five of Subba’s nine wins have come either by submission or by crowd-pleasing knockout.

McLaren expects Subba to leave everything on the line as the Malaysian standout is driven to elevate himself in the upper echelon of ONE Championship’s 61.2-kilogram weight class.

“I see this match as a very exciting one because I know that Gianni Subba is a well-rounded martial artist. He is hungry because I know he wants to be in my position,” he explained.

The stakes are incredibly high for McLaren, unveiling that he is preparing himself to be in the best shape of his life against Subba at ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY.

McLaren knows that a convincing win over a division mainstay like Subba will leave no doubt that he is the rightful contender for the ONE Flyweight World Championship title.

“I am not taking him for granted, which is why I am completely focused on my upcoming bout. This is a dangerous game we play, and we cannot underestimate anybody. I need to be at my absolute best. I will do my best to ace my test this March 9,” he ended.

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Exert Extra Effort: The Key to A Better Impression

Wazzup Pilipinas!

How can you refuse when they say you're the only blogger they invited out of the many bloggers they know and previously invited?

Finding myself among VIPs in a newly established restaurant gives an added appeal and confirmation that I'm doing something right with my blogging.

It is messages like these that inspires me to excel even further....especially when the restaurant owner says he knows me and has a good impression of me .... hahaha ... sikat daw ako! 

Oh yes, I've seen him before managing a smaller food business venture, and I'm proud that we now meet again with him having an additional and bigger restaurant to run.

Of course, I am also proud that he remembers me well. I meet a lot of people but is never good at remembering names. However, I remember faces, more specifically their smiles and appreciation towards our work.

I always do try my best to enhance or make our image stand out among the rest. From the logo, the jingle, the iconic shout-out, the video coverage even with just a smartphone, to the self-proclaimed "Pambansang Blogger" title, it is our work and branding that we are proud to boast.

Of course we try our best to live up to such a title so we could carry it with dignity. We do have our own meaning or interpretation, and eventhough there are eyebrows raised everytime we announce ourselves as the Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas, we will never give it up because we believe it constantly reminds us of our ulrimate goal - to come out with more significant stories to educate and inform the people to become more involved and aware.

Eventhough, I am missing a lot of events now due to my new work,  I am still able to attend events every now and then. I once told myself I would still attend the events scheduled after office hours or weekends, but found myself unable to do so coz now I just want to rest after 5pm. 

An entire day at the office, though not hectic and very light work, is still draining for me because I'm used to actively running around from one event to another. Just mostly sitting infront of a computer and doing paper work all day is tiring. The only time I get to exercise is when I go to my boss to have some papers signed.

But now I was given authorization to sign the papers myself. My fault because I suggested it. Not that I'm complaining but because it was the right thing to do. I even volunteered to pay in advance for my own trodat stamp so I could officialy put my authorized signature on those certifications.

However, I am still waiting for developments...How many times should I follow-up with that thingy....hahaha

My challenge at work is to automate and speed up a work process that is still dependent on the physical paper.

There are just some who still just follow the old process what they have grown accustomed to. Why fix something when it's working? Well, innovation helps to speed up the process, consume less or no paper, and makes our stakeholders happier for the faster, convenient and thus better service. Why wait for a paper for three days when it can be processed within the day? Though it's a bit more exerting extra effort, it gives our customers a better impression of us.

Now, I'm being selective with the events I am attending but happy that I am still able to send over correspondents to represent Wazzup Pilipinas. I admit missing personally attending but there's just some sacrifices you need to make for the greater good.

Thanks to people like Jayson R. Biadog, Collin Sarthou Yap, Edmund Ong Chua II Ferrari Lacson, David D'Angelo, Manuel Flores, Mars Callo, and a lot more who continues to attend events for Wazzup Pilipinas. Though the site is already self-supporting or sustainable due to its many local and foreign collaborators, event attendance is still a worthy task where you find more opportunities through new contacts or relationships. I could hardly count the many recommendations or referrals we got from the people we meet at events.

And though there are still many detractors out there who continue to spread "fake news" about us, our commitment towards publishing only significant stories still emerges as our top priority. No to sugar-coated stories. No to connivance with faulty or inferior brands. No to abusive PRs and event organizers.

We know we will not be able to share everything that's happening around us, but we are proud we are doing our very best. That is all that is important.

Thank you to all who support us in our noble endeavor as our site is more of an advocacy towards a better Philippines, for better Filipinos. We will continue to give our best "even when noone is looking." Lol!

Pinoy Boxer Michael Dasmarinas Topbills ‘Roar of Singapore IV - Night of Champions’

Wazzup Pilipinas!

See you at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on April 20, as Michael Dasmarinas goes for the IBO world title.

Filipino boxer Michael “Gloves on Fire” Dasmarinas, is ready to battle French boxer Karim Guerfi on April 20, 2018, for Ringstar’s ‘Roar of Singapore IV - Night of Champions’.  At stake is an IBO world title belt that evening, at Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Dasmarinas went to Japan for over a month to train with top coaches, who were former world boxing champions themselves.  Dasmarinas is currently ranked by WBC 12th, while his French opponent is ranked 4th.

Dasmarinas says, “Ito na yun pagkakataon ko na makuha ko yun pinaghirapan ko, at ginagawa ko lahat ng makakaya ko sa training para makuha natin ang panalo na ito, para sa bansa ito.” (This is my chance to reap the benefits of all my hard work, and I am doing my best in training so I can get this win for the country.)

Top boxing legends and world champions such as Manny Pacquiao and Gerry Penalosa have also expressed support for Dasmarinas.  In a recent interview by Fox Sports Asia, the fighting Senator Pacquiao says, “Right now we have top caliber boxers here in Asia, specially in the Philippines.”

And on Michael Dasmarinas, the only 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao says, “If he is ready to compete outside the country and if he is ready to work hard, maybe he will win.”
 
Former world boxing champion Gerry Penalosa himself says, “Ringstar is giving Filipino boxers such as Michael Dasmarinas and Jeson Umbal a big break.  Without Ringstar, I don’t think that they can have an opportunity like this.  They have to grab it, the opportunity to have this break.”

To get words of encouragement from his idols has inspired Dasmarinas even more, who says, “Nakaka inspire at nakakagalak na nababanggit ka ng mga idolo mong boxer kamukha nila Manny Pacquiao at Gerry Penalosa.  Nakakalakas ng loob, excited na ako lumaban, at sana po pagpatuloy nyo akong pagdasal, para makuha natin ang tagumpay. Gagawin natin lahat ng makakaya natin para manalo, para sa bansa ito.” (I am humbled and inspired that my idols Manny Pacquiao and Gerry Penalosa get to mention my name.  I feel more confident and more excited to fight more than ever.  I ask everyone to pray for me to get this win.  I will do everything I can to win.  This is for the country.)

Dasmarinas will also have the opportunity to show his wares at an open workout on March 7, 2018, 1 p.m., at Kerry Sports, Shangri-La at the Fort.  Malaysian boxer Mirage Khan will also appear with him.  


As for Karim Guerfi, the French boxer says, “I have seen that he is a tough fighter, a strong puncher, but he has never experienced facing a boxer like me, and I am ready to confront him.  I am preparing with my coach and we are 100% focused on this challenge.”

The French boxer continues, “To all my fans I would like to say not to miss the fight Guerfi vs Dasmarinas which will be explosive.  And I would like to thank very gratefully Ringstar for offering me such a great fight.”


Ringstar Boxing, Asia’s fastest growing sports media property has now reached an overwhelming broadcast footprint of over a potential billion viewers across the globe, and is currently gearing up for its April 20 show, ‘The Roar of Singapore IV – ‘Night of Champions’, to be held at the 10,000-seater Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

Tickets are now available at www.sportshub.com.sg/RoarofSG4.  

Ticket prices for VVIP tables at SGD 5,000, with early bird rates at SGD 4,000, up to March 20, 2018.  This includes a 4-course dinner with free-flowing wine and beer, VVIP gift bag which includes Ringstar shirts, corporate branding on the table, half-page ad in the fight program, exclusive VIP entrance and red-carpet access and photo opportunities with top celebrities and world-renowned athletes.

Category 1 Seats are at SGD 48, with early bird rates at SGD 38.  While Stadium Seats are at SGD 38, with early bird rates at SGD 28.  

Promo code ‘RINGSTAR’ will entitle ticket buyers 50% off the rates, over and above the early bird rate, (for tickets only).  

Sponsors and Partners of ‘Night of Champions’ include Roomaif International and Alexandre Christie.



For more information on promo codes and ‘RoarofSG4’, please visitwww.sportshub.com.sg/roarofsg4