Ok, Lee, Le, And Tang Sound Off Before ONE 160 World Title Fights
Two massive World Title bouts will headline ONE 160: Ok vs. Lee II this Friday, August 26, and all four participants are geared up and ready to lay everything on the line.
In the main event, Ok Rae Yoon and Christian Lee will meet in a massive ONE Lightweight World Title rematch, while Thanh Le defends his ONE Featherweight World Title against Tang Kai in the co-main slot.
The World Champions and their challengers gave their final comments at ONE 160 Media Day this week. Here’s what they had to say before going into battle at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Ok Rae Yoon: ‘It’s Going To Be 2-0 For Me’
ONE Lightweight World Champion Ok has fielded question after question about Christian Lee’s assertions that he deserved to win their first World Title fight last year.
Now, the South Korean wants to put those doubts to rest with a more dominant showing to prove beyond doubt that he’s the division’s top dog.
Ok said:
“I don’t see this rivalry – if you can call it a rivalry – going to the third or fourth bout because in order to do that, it has to be something close again. He has to beat me. But I’m going to dominate this bout. It’s going to be 2-0 for me, so Christian Lee won’t have any reasons to have the third or fourth bout against me.
“In this bout, I will be very aggressive. I will show the offensive side of me. I’m going to be very, very aggressive. And Christian Lee will be very frustrated because of my offense. And of course, he will try to come in aggressively also, trying to go for the finish. But that will be caught by my counter.
“I have a lot of plans ready. I’m very well prepared for this bout. So whatever scenario that happens, I’m ready for that. I believe that Christian Lee will have a very difficult time.”
Christian Lee: ‘I’m Looking Forward To Putting A Stamp On This One’
Lee is also convinced that he’ll win this massive second showdown with Ok.
“The Warrior” has been laser-focused on the rematch for 11 months, and he expects to reclaim the belt with a quick, emphatic stoppage.
Lee said:
“I’m looking forward to the rematch, and I’m looking forward to putting a stamp on this one, making sure that I finish him so that nothing else needs to be said about it.
“I’ve been training really hard for it all year long. The way things went in our last meeting, I think it’ll make it even better when I’m able to get my hand raised and get a finish against Ok.
“I still plan on finishing Ok Rae Yoon in the first round. However, I’m very confident in my conditioning. And I know that if it takes five rounds, I will be pushing from start to finish.”
Thanh Le: ‘Somebody’s Getting Their Head Taken Off’
Following his stunning KO of Garry Tonon in his first ONE Featherweight World Title defense, Le will meet a very different test in fellow knockout artist Tang.
However, the laidback Vietnamese-American is not fazed. He thinks the challenger’s aggression will lead him into trouble – and that fans won’t want to miss the result.
Le said:
“I’ve got a record of knocking people out when they do take that forward step, so we’ll see how it plays out. [I predict it] to go my way, obviously. I think we’re going to win this. I think it’s going to be a KO in the third round.
“It’s going to be fireworks. I’ve never been to a decision; win or lose. We’re going to bring a finish. Hopefully, we’re not getting finished, but it’s going to be one or the other. I promise you that. Tune in and check it out on Friday. Somebody’s getting their head taken off.”
Tang Kai: ‘I Will Make Him Suffer’
Hungry for World Championship gold, Tang has been brash and outspoken ever since he knocked out Kim Jae Woong to earn this shot at the belt.
Now in fight week, the Chinese star is continuing to talk the talk, and he plans on claiming the victory in style.
Tang said:
“Thanh Le’s weakness is he’s too old. And I think another one is his weak chin. As soon as I touch that chin, he will go down. No problem.
“I predict a KO, but if it goes to the decision, it will also be in my area, and I will dominate the whole fight.
“There’s no question, I will make him suffer.”
