JAKARTA -- Becoming a father changes one's perspective in life.
Danny Kingad can attest to that as he enters ONE: Conquest of Heroes at Jakarta Convention Center doubly motivated to come home victorious.
"Nakaka-excite manalo ulit. Parang na-doble yung sipag ko. Every time na nagte-train ako at nakikita ko siya, nae-excite ako," the 23-year-old Baguio native said.
Kingad (7-1) is undoubtedly on the top of his game, especially now that he's a new dad to his one-month-old baby Gleuordan Adrian.
"Nagbago na lahat. Wala na yung lakwatsa. Dapat nandoon ka palagi para sa kanya. Aalagaan mo talaga after ng training. Nakadagdag talaga siya ng sipag para sa akin," he shared.
Lucky for him, his Team Lakay stablemate Eduard Folayang has been in this position before.
The former ONE Lightweight Champion was preparing for his title defense against Ev Ting last year when his son Yeshuareigns was born, forcing him to split his time being a champion and a father.
Those inputs are valuable for Kingad, who is seeking to continue his rise in ONE's flyweight division.
"Yung mga advice niya lang sa akin is yung mga positive at negative na nangyari sa kanya. Ginaganahan ulit yung pakiramdam ko para hindi na gawin yung mga negative at gawin yung mga positive," he said.
That's just the right mindset Kingad needs as he braces for Japanese foe Yuya Wakamatsu (10-2) on Saturday.
"Yung mga Japanese, meron silang 'Warrior Spirit,' pero mas malakas yung atin sa kanila. Parating nasa isip ko na mas malakas yung spirit natin kaysa sa kanila," he said.
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