03 August 2019
By Kevin Estrada
PASAY — Japan’s Yuya Wakamatsu claimed the reserve slot on the flyweight division of the World Grand Prix after knocking Geje Eustaquio out in the final preliminary card of the ONE: Dawn of Heroes Friday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Little Piranha took a huge bite on Gravity after a solid left hand led to a flurry of punches, forcing Kemp Cheng to wave off the fight in 1:59 of the very first round, improving his record to 11-4.
As a result, Wakamatsu became the stand in for the World Grand Prix, as he will be set to replace either Eustaquio’s Lakay teammate Danny Kingad and Demetrious Johnson after the latter pair won their respective semifinal bouts.
Eustaquio admitted that the knockout changed the complexion of the bout entirely, getting his predictions wrong on Wakamatsu in what was a close fight.
“Tonight is not my night,” Eustaquio conceded, as he already had a hard time after accepting the fight in a short notice. “I hope it’s going to be a big stepping stone to become a better athlete.”
However, he’s glad that Kingad spared not just his, but to the entire Team Lakay’s blushes as he is confident to nab the World Grand Prix crown.
“We really push you forward to get Prix Title, and if that permits, he will also become the flyweight World Champion.”
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