Gianni Subba shrugs off Geje Eustaquio’s hometown advantage

Nissi Icasiano

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Gianni Subba shrugs off Geje Eustaquio’s hometown advantage
The Malaysian standout assures that he is in no way intimated by his Filipino opponent’s hometown advantage.

MANILA, Philippines – Malaysian standout Gianni Subba assures that he is in no way intimated by his Filipino opponent’s hometown advantage as he prepares to face Geje Eustaquio in a 3-round flyweight bout.

For the first time since April 2015, Eustaquio will have the luxury of fighting with thousands of Filipino fight fans rallying behind him as he faces Subba in the co-headliner of ONE Championship’s “Global Rivals” event on April 15.

Given that the marquee match-up will be held in Eustaquio’s home-base, Subba considers it as his second chance to prove his worth as a world-class athlete in front of the local crowd as he once made the trip to the Philippines when he fought Eugene Toquero in May 2014.

However, Subba’s first visit to the country turned out less spectacular than expected as Toquero effortlessly wore him down with vicious strikes in the stand-up department and then mauled him on the ground in 3 rounds to earn a unanimous decision win.

“I really enjoyed my first experience fighting in the Philippines. Even though the fight didn’t go my way, the crowd and the support they give the fighters is something I look forward to,” Subba told Rappler.

The disappointing defeat to Toquero was a bitter pill to swallow for Subba, but it allowed him to regroup and assess his development as a prizefighter.

Since yielding to Toquero, Subba has piled up 4-straight triumphs, which included a 20-second stoppage of Australia’s Than Vu in March 2015.

“I was a boy in that fight with Toquero. I’m a man now,” Subba said. “I’m training with the best coaches and training partners in Asia, so I’m coming to fight.”

Subba and Eustaquio have battled 3 similar opponents throughout their 4-year stint as ONE Championship competitors, but the notable foe whom both men share is Toquero.

The 23-year-old Malaysian had a hard night against Toquero, but Eustaquio easily routed his fellow Pinoy combatant to pick up a lopsided decision victory in December 2013.

If their respective encounters versus Toquero will be considered as the gauge, the odds would easily point to Eustaquio, but Subba dispelled the notion and stressed that he sees himself as a different cage competitor.

“Every fight is different and each fighter had his or her strengths and weaknesses. I think Geje and I match up well. He will come in prepared, and I will have my hand raised,” he stated.

Eustaquio recently snapped his two-fighting losing skid by attaining an emphatic knockout victory over Subba’s compatriot Saiful Merican this past January.

Subba shot down the idea that he is out to settle the score with Eustaquio for brutally shutting the lights off on Merican and avenge his first career setback to Toquero.

“It is strictly business. This fight will put me closer to where I want to be. I’m not looking past Geje,” he asserted.

Although Eustaquio has the upper hand in the striking department, Subba has no qualms when it comes to trading kicks and punches with the Team Lakay representative.

“I believe that I can stand with the best in the world. With that being said, anywhere I can get the finish. Whether it’s standing or grappling, I’m taking it,” he ended. – Rappler.com

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