Two years ago, Adrian Lerasan was a regular 115-pound Pinoy boxer with an average record of 8-4 with 1 win by KO. Numbers not really out of the ordinary, right? Right.
Then, the quiet Adrian was invited to fly for the very first time out of his beloved Philippines, on to Thailand to battle undefeated local Thai warrior Tanes Ongjunta in a televised main event clash for the vacant WBA Asia Super Fly Title.
Ongjunta and his handlers wanted to beat Adrian and claim the crown. Sure.
But In impressive fashion, Adrian upped his game to the sky, devastatingly knocking out the dangerous, brave Thai fighter in eight fantastic rounds of full action!
It seems as if Adrian was reborn as a fighter, finding strenght and power he did not know he had.
It was just the 2nd knockout the delivered ever! Yet, he did it and in sizzling way, in a manner in which the native of Antipolo, Rizal, can feel proud of.
As a result, in October of last year, Adrian was welcomed once again to the Land of Smiles to fight another Thai boxer, this time Suradech Ruhasiri, for the WBC Asia Continental 115 lbs crown.
A confident Adrian stopped Ruhasiri in five exciting chapters at the I-Mobile Football Stadium in Buriram, dropping jaws.
What’s more, two weeks ago, once again, the 23-year-old Filipino southpaw was wanted in Thailand to exchange blows against another dangerous Thai, strong opponent.
Adrian Lerasan was getting in the ring against local fan-fave, promising reigning WBC Asia Super Fly Champion 21-year-old Phongsaphon Panyakum with a pretty good fighting record of 12-1.
Finding in himself the power to overcome all odds, Adrian stopped the tough, hard-hitting Panyakum in seven rounds of riveting action, dethroning Panyakum on Thai national TV. How about that?
This achievement could probably be a record of KO wins for a Filipino fighter in Thailand. No loses. Not even our king Manny Pacquiao when he was a flyweight fighting in Thailand could do such a thing.
Yet, Adrian has done it. Kudos talaga.
But there's more to the story. Because, as we can all imagine, Adrian has become known by boxing people in Thailand, fans liking his friendly and humble ways together with his fearless, hard-swinging fighting style.
Sponsors are now more willing to open their wallets to promoters, fans wondering what will happen in Adrian Lerasan’s next rumble... wondering if he will deliver yet another KO? TV channels getting cameras ready: Adrian is coming to town!
Yes indeed. Because for a 4th time in a row, Adrian Lerasan will fly to Thailand for more thrilling action. This time around, Adrian will attempt to dethrone unbeaten rising star WBA Asia Super Flyweight Champion Nattapong Jankaew (9-0, 5 KO's), in a battle scheduled for April 22 in Bangkok in a Tantelecom Boxing Promotion, live on TV.
However, arguably, his coming war against Nattapong could be the toughest fight yet for Adrian in the land of Khaosai Galaxy, will he win it? Will he win it by KO? Or will his stellar winning streak abruptly come to an end? What will be the result?
Whatever happens next, one truth boxing fans can be so sure of: Adrian Lerasan will put his warrior heart in the combat, as he always does. (Fightnews Asia)
(Photo credits to: Fightnews Asia)