BAGUIO CITY -- Joshua Pacio is feeling all fired up as he maintains his tip-top shape ahead of his ONE strawweight title defense against Jarred Brooks on Dec. 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
If anything, Pacio's condition has never been better and bared that every training session gives a refreshing sensation to his physical state.
More than that, Pacio, who is the lone Filipino and Team Lakay champion in ONE Championship, is already a hundred percent ready mentally and spiritually.
"'Yong feeling sa sparring is good. 'Yong katawan ko hindi nafa-fatigue," said Pacio, who holds a 20-3 record entering his fourth title defense. "Yong mga ka-sparring ko ang lalakas at ang lalaki pero kaya kong makipagsabayan sa kanila."
Pacio has developed a more chiseled physique as Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao also revealed a special strength and conditioning regimen for the reigning strawweight titlist.
In jest, the 26-year-old Pacio said there's nothing new in terms of his figure before turning serious with his response.
"I think 'yong sa strength and conditioning isa sa mga importantent factor 'yong motion na parang tools na gagamitin mo sa laban, maiaayon din sa ginagawa mo," said Pacio, who last saw action in September 2021, settling his business against Japanese rival Yosuke Saruta in a trilogy with a first-round knockout.
"I think nag-payoff naman and this is the best feeling sa lahat ng naging fight camps ko. Dito ko na-feel na malakas na ako habang papalapit 'yong laban. Kakaiba 'yong feeling -- magaan na mabilis."
Sangiao, for his part, isn't about to underestimate Brooks and even lauded the top-ranked American contender for bringing out the best in the whole strawweight division.
Brooks, 29, since his ONE debut, has virtually swept his way to being the No. 1 contender after taking down the likes of Lito Adiwang, Hiroba Minowa, and Bokang Masunyane. He improved to a 19-2 record since then.
"Hindi natin made-deny na magaling din si Brooks. Malakas talaga siya sa wrestling at grappling. Deserved naman niya lumabas sa belt," said Sangiao.
"Sa atin naman, si Joshua every percentage gusto niya talaga mag-develop every day and same din sa team. Hindi tayo tumitigil matut at kunin 'yong pinakamaliit na detalye sa mga training namin."
That said, Sangiao is confident that Pacio will bring out a different kind of "Passion" in the Circle.