Heading into his fight in URCC: Domination last Saturday at the Fontana Covention Center in Clark, Pampanga, Jerson Estoro was a forgotten man in his return to the Alvin Aguilar-led promotion contrary to Andrew Benibe who has received more fanfare as the champion prior to their tussle.
Estoro understands why. “Sa China kasi talaga ako nakabase – sa Beijing, China kasi dun na rin ako nagtuturo.”
He said shortly after winning the URCC bantamweight belt via TKO in the fourth round, “instructor ako dun tapos nagtayo kami ng gym dun, so bale dun na talaga ako nagtuturo ng Muay Thai, boxing at MMA at the same time, dun na rin ako nagtraining para sa laban na ito.”
Even with the tensions between Philippines and China, the Big Red Country interestingly has been a place of solace for the newly crowned URCC bantamweight champion – finding financial security and establishing connections, which proved to be very useful in his comeback fight in his homeland.
“Yung manager ni Yan Xiao Nan (who also fought that night), si Mr. Bill Eng, kakilala namin siya at pinakilala niya kami sa ibang mga fighters doon,” the 33-year-old fighter said.
“Nakatulong yun sakin yun (training with the locals). Nakapag-cross train ako sa ibang mga Chinese fighters, isa na dun yung dating Legend FC champion Yao Honggang. Sila Yao yung nagturo sa akin ng wrestling tapos itong mga kasama kong Pilipino trainers na sina Ryan Willis, sina Ereneo Galindes. Sila ang tumulong sa akin sa laban na ito.”
Andrew Benibe ducks a Jerson Estoro headkick
It proved to be pivotal in his fight as it complemented the game plan which was played to a T. It also resulted to the usually-assertive Benibe to play catchup, thus leaving him vulnerable to loose kicks which, eventually, led him to the TKO victory.
“Inexpect ko na ito sa kanya kasi ang gameplan ko ay ako ang magaagressor sa first and second round. Tapos siyempre hahabol yan. So nung humahabol na siya, dun na ako kumukuha ng timing kasi alam kong pag tumama ako ng isa. [After] mag-counter siya so nung nakakita ako ng opening niya at napabayaan niya yung guard niya dun ko na siya sinundot sa sikmura ng jumping knee.”
