Desperate times call for desperate measures.
As if Jomary “The Zamboanganian Fighter” Torres needed any more motivation into her upcoming bout, her head coach in Rene “The Challenger” Catalan upped the ante even further.
“I am telling her that Jihin will eat her alive. They’ve been watching you and they know your strengths and weaknesses. I am warning her that she will get knocked out if she comes unprepared,” said Catalan.
Once believed to be a gem in the rough and undiscovered talent in Philippine mixed martial arts, Torres was quick to announce her arrival in The Home Of Martial Arts. winning her first three bouts.
The tables have turned now as Torres is currently in the middle of a three-bout losing slump, and she has not won a bout in the year.
Catalan’s warnings may be a little extreme – but the 40-year-old Iloilo native hopes that it will only spark a fire in his prized pupil.
“I told her that this could be her last fight in the international scene if she loses again. Back then, the expectations on her was she was gonna be the next Angela Lee. Now her stock has plummeted and she really needs to get back to her winning ways.”
It’s been alarming, to say the least, for the 20-year old Torres, as after dropping consecutive decision losses to Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol and Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi, she was stopped by Lin “MMA Sister” Heqin at ONE: Reign of Valor this past March via triangle choke.
As optimistic as they are, Catalan remains brutally frank to Torres – reminding her of the things that she would lose if her slide continues.
“A loss here would mean it would be her fourth straight, who knows, maybe ONE finally decides to part ways with her,” stressed Catalan.
“Not only that, should ONE continue to give her opportunities, GAB (Philippine Games And Amusement Board) might not clear her.”
But for all of Catalan’s honesty, his faith in his pupil remains unwavering as she expects Torres to hush what is expected to be a pro-Radzuan crowd in Malaysia.
“We know Jihin. She’s certainly going for the knockout. We know she’s well-rounded, she can strike and she can grapple, but we’re prepared,” said Catalan.
“It will be a good fight. Jomary is hungry for a win as she looks to secure her future while Jihin will fight strong for her country.”
