By June Ray Navarres
Fourth ranked bantamweight contender Stephen Loman knew that the climb to the top is never an easy task especially with the stacked ONE bantamweight division.
Recently, Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade extended his winning streak to four, all via knockout after delivering the kick to the liver that downed South Korean Kwon Won Il at ONE 158: Tawanchai vs. Larsen.
Andrade immediately soared to the no.2 spot, taking over Kwon’s spot while the latter moved down to the no. 3 rank.
Both Loman and Andrade have been getting head starts with their winning streaks and for the Team Lakay slugger, he is ready either for a title fight with newly instated division kingpin John Lineker or a fight for title contention.
“We are aiming at the same target and that’s to face John Lineker and be the World Champion in the bantamweight division,” said Loman.
“Surely Andrade is a tough one and if he will get the chance to fight Lineker before me and if he aces out Lineker then I am all up to grab the belt from him, if given the opportunity.”
Coincidentally enough, the Brazilian wants Loman in his first title contention should he become champion.
And the 26-year-old Igorot warrior will be ready.
“In any case, from Lineker or from Andrade, I have a firm goal to bring the belt home to Philippines,” declared Loman.
Loman is still boasting a clean sheet after being in the Singapore-based organization for 15 months, taking care of elite fighters in Yusup Saadulaev last December and Shoko Sato in January.
Nonetheless, Loman is hopeful that someday he will be meeting Andrade inside the Circle and in order to do so, he must maintain his status in the heavily loaded weight class.
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