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MMA: Lito Adiwang following the footsteps of his hero Manny Pacquiao

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/sports/03/25/lito_2.jpg"/><figcaption>MMA fighter Lito Adiwang. Handout photo</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- Rising Filipino mixed martial artist Lito &quot;Thunder Kid&quot; Adiwang is one of the most explosive fighters in the ONE Championship roster today.A product of the ONE Warrior Series, Adiwang has captivated audiences every time he stepped through the ropes or entered the Circle.The 26-year-old stalwart has a fan-friendly style that causes a unique adrenaline rush whenever he comes to compete. Under the guidance of legendary Filipino martial artist Mark Sangiao and his brothers-in-arms at the famed Team Lakay gym, Adiwang is blazing a trail through ONE Championship&#x27;s strawweight division.Adiwang, however, was not always a martial arts fighter. Growing up in Baguio City, he endured a rough upbringing.&quot;I was born the youngest in a family of seven children. Life was tough and we had to get through a lot of trials. My parents used to plant crops in an open lot so we would have food to eat, but it wasn’t enough,&quot; Adiwang recalled.&quot;It really taught me a lot about overcoming adversity in life. I wanted to help my family, but I felt powerless. Then I lost my fourth sibling in a mining accident. My parents separated when I was a teenager. I just felt hopeless,&quot; he added.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/generalsports/news/2020/03/24/tokyo-olympics-officially-postponed-2021-67252">READ: Tokyo Olympics officially postponed to 2021</a></li></ul>When things were getting progressively tougher for the young Adiwang, he found hope in a Filipino sporting icon.Like many Filipino children, Adiwang was captivated by legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao. The young &quot;Thunder Kid&quot; drew strength and inspiration from the incredible career of the former eight-division world champion.Pacquiao is arguably the greatest boxer of his generation, an icon who has captured multiple world titles, defeated legends, and achieved worldwide fame and fortune.It soon became Adiwang&#x27;s dream to be just like his idol.&quot;Growing up, watching the rise of Manny Pacquiao, I was motivated to become a boxer just like him. I wanted to represent my country and make my people proud too. I wanted to help bring my family out of hardship and poverty,&quot; he said.&quot;There used to be an old church on the streets where I grew up, where I initially started to learn how to box. I was 12 years old at the time. I would shadowbox and imagine I was Manny Pacquiao, fighting against legends like Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera. I loved his relentless style. His opponents couldn’t handle him,&quot; he added.Today, there are similarities in Adiwang&#x27;s strikes and Pacquiao&#x27;s ferociousness. Like Pacquiao, Adiwang favors a relentless attack, coming forward with punches packed with bout-ending power.The results have been stunning -- Adiwang is thus far unbeaten in his ONE Championship stint. After getting his start in the ONE Warrior Series, Adiwang&#x27;s star has continued to rise, winning his first three bouts under the watchful eye of MMA legend Rich Franklin. Not long after, the 26-year-old earned a six-figure contract with ONE Championship, as Franklin saw his potential.He then strung together two incredible finishes as part of ONE Championship&#x27;s main roster.&quot;I knew Lito was something special the moment I saw him train, and eventually compete. He just has that finishing instinct that not everyone has. With some polish, I knew Lito would make a huge impact in ONE Championship,&quot; said Franklin, who is now the chief executive of ONE Warrior Series.&quot;He&#x27;s a phenomenal athlete and I just see him powering through the division. He still has much to learn, but he’s also developing at such a rapid pace. I’m really proud of what he’s accomplished so far, and very excited for what the future holds for him,&quot; he added.It is still early in his career, and the possibilities are endless for Adiwang. He is determined to traverse the same path as his idol, the &quot;Pacman.&quot;&quot;To be even considered in the same breath as Manny, it’s such an honor. If I can accomplish even a fraction of what he has in his career, I can consider my career a success,&quot; said Adiwang.&quot;Right now, I&#x27;m just focused on being the best that I can be. I really want to prove myself against the best opponents, and I feel I am ready.&quot;(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>).

Rising Filipino mixed martial artist Lito "Thunder Kid" Adiwang is one of the most explosive fighters in the ONE Championship roster today.

Rising Filipino mixed martial artist Lito "Thunder Kid" Adiwang is one of the most explosive fighters in the ONE Championship roster today.