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Eric Kelly rues distractions behind current skid

Edward Kelly tries to hold his tears while still being emotional about his older brother Eric's road to redemption. Ivan Saldajeno
By Ivan Saldajeno

PARANAQUE--Eric Kelly admitted on Tuesday that he did a lot of unnecessary moves that costed him a bunch of mixed martial arts matches--his last five fights to be exact.

"May mga bisyo ako. Nakalimutan ko yung career ko," Kelly said on Tuesday during the press conference for One: Roots of Honor at the City of Dreams Grand Ballroom. "Medyo nawalan ako ng focus, kaya naka-five straight losses ako."

That is why he decided to go to Dubai for his training ahead of a match against South Korean Kwon Won-Il.

"Yung sarili ko, inayos-ayos ko," Kelly bared what he did there.

However, he had to leave his family behind, causing his younger Edward to have concern.

"Nakikita ko kasi yung family nya. Kailangang nyang ipakita na as a father, andoon yung pag-iisip nya sa pamilya nya," the younger Kelly said while in tears.

That is why Eric approaches his fight against Kwon as if there is no more tomorrow.

"Sobrang napakaimportante ito sa akin kasi dito nakasalalay yung fighting career ko," the older Kelly said.

But his younger brother believes, "Alam kong babawi siya."

Interestingly enough, Edward Kelly also has a fight at One: Roots of Honor on Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, this time against Lee Sung-Jong, another South Korean.

"Special na laban sa amin ito kasi parehas kaming lalaban sa Pinas sa One Championship at saka parehas na Koreano ang kalaban namin kaya magandang oportunidad sa amin ito," Eric added.

He then vowed that they will perform at their best to go 2-0.

In fact, for his part, he added, "May bagong Eric Kelly ngayon na lalaban nitong darating na Friday sa ONE Championship."

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