“Everybody wants to take the crown” - Alexis Nicolas knows he has a bigger target on his back as a ONE world champion
After his stunning upset against Regian Eersel at ONE Fight Night 21, new ONE lightweight kickboxing world champion Alexis Nicolas knows that he has a large target on his back.
'Barboza' shocked the world when he handed Eersel—a fighter who hadn't been beaten in eight years—a unanimous decision loss inside the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok last April.
Now, the two warriors will strap on the eight-ounce gloves once again for one of the most anticipated rematches of the year as ONE Championship returns to the iconic venue for a loaded ONE Fight Night 25 card on Amazon Prime Video.
Speaking with the promotion ahead of their highly anticipated headliner in the Mecca of Muay Thai, Nicolas recognizes that as the new world champion, he has every fighter looking in his direction and chomping at the bit to get their shot at his 26 pounds of gold.
“Now I’m the king, and everybody wants to take the crown, so I have to stay focused," Nicolas said. "Make more money, build my empire, and fight, fight, fight.”
Regian Eersel gives credit where credit is due following first fight with Alexis Nicolas
Despite coming up short against the French star, Regian Eersel believes he more than held his own against Nicolas in The Land of Smiles.
"When looking back at the fight, yeah, I think Alexis Nicolas did a good job with his punches and all," Eersel told Sportskeeda. "But I believe I matched him there, I was going for the attacks and replying, you know."
Still, 'The Immortal' was more than willing to give credit where credit is due, noting how Nicolas' devastating kept him off balance and prevented him from executing his game plan.
"I also have to say that his calf kicks were good," he added. "It kept on hitting me. I lost my balance a bit and, of course, I also felt some pain. That's why I couldn't really get into my game."
Eersel's loss snapped a 22-fight win streak. Will the Surinamese sensation bounce back and reclaim kickboxing gold, or will 'Barboza' prove to the world that his win was no fluke?
ONE Fight Night 25 will air live via Amazon Prime Video in the United States and Canada on Friday, Oct. 4 in U.S. primetime.