LYNDON KNOWLES is relishing the opportunity to finally step out of Jonathan Haggerty's shadow and show the world just how great he is.
Knowles has been an ever-present in ‘The Hitman's' title-filled journey in but has, unlike some cornermen, kept a low profile.
But it'll be all eyes on him this Saturday morning when he makes his eagerly anticipated promotional debut against heavyweight champion Roman Kryklia at ONE Fight Night 30.
Those in the know have long known that Knowles is much more than a “hype man” for , a label he can well and truly do away with with an upset victory over Ukrainian bruiser Kryklia.
In an exclusive interview with SunSport, he said: “I'm super excited to show the world what I can offer. Because I'm sort of Jonathan's banner boy.
“I remember I was talking to someone out in Denver and they were like, ‘Oh, I just thought you were Jonathan's hype man.
“And then I went on your and realised you're a pretty decent fighter yourself.'
“It is funny, but I wouldn't change it for the world.
“I love cornering Jonathan, I love being around him when he trains and I love being part of his fight team.
“I'm not sure if that's what people want to remember me as, being Jonathan's banner boy.
“But I'm gonna prove to them that I'm more than that at the weekend.”
On finally competing in ONE, he added: “I'm just living the dream, to be honest. This is where most Muay Thai fighters want to be.
“They want to be in ONE Championship.
“Getting picked up at the airport with a ONE Championship sign was surreal.
“And it was actually my turn for once. It was incredible.”
Being thrust into a title shot straight off the bat is a huge hat tip from the ONE brass to Knowles' achievements outside the promotion.
But he faces arguably the toughest task of his career to end Kryklia's reign atop the heavyweight division.
Oddsmakers are also in agreement, making him a sizeable underdog – a status he's relishing.
“We come from a gym that makes the impossible possible,” he said. “A lot of people said it about Jonathan all them years ago against Sam-A and then against Nong-O.
I'm gonna prove to them that I'm more than that at the weekend
“And then he does it. And I feel like I'm gonna do the same thing.”
Winning a world title will change Knowles' life forever, although he won't go splashing the cash on himself.
“I definitely think that there's a holiday on the cards for my mum,” he said. “She deserves one.
“She hasn't been on holiday for a while, so I've definitely been thinking about that.”
Before he can think about treating his mum to a well-deserved holiday, Knowles must do what no man has done in over EIGHT YEARS and get the better of Kryklia.
He knows he faces an uphill task to do so, but foresees himself getting the job done in a violent and bonus-winning fashion.
He said: “I think this fight's only gonna end in a stoppage. So it means I'll probably be getting a $50,000 bonus.”
