RISING star Jayson Mama hopes to ride the momentum of success of the Filipinos in the international stage when he challenge Sunny “Showtime” Edwards of Great Britain for the IBF flyweight championship in London on September 11

Mama, nicknamed the “Smasher” will be the underdog when he climbs the ring against Edwards at the Copper Box Arena of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in England.

But Mama is unfazed.

“Magaling talaga kaya siya nag- champion. Pero gagawin ko lahat ng aking makakaya para manalo at maiuwi ang korona dito sa atin,” said Mama during the 116th episode of the “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) last August 26.

“Kung kailangan patumbahin, pipilitin ko ko para sure win,” added Mama, who holds a perfect record of 16 wins with nine knockouts.

The 24-year-old pride of General Santos City claimed he has studied Edwads’ fighting style and continues to train hard in what could be the biggest battle in his boxing life.

“Sa nakita namin, malikot sya kalaban sa ring. Hindi siya lumalaban ng toe-to-toe kaya yun ang pinaghahandaan namin,” added Mama during the weekly public service program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

He said he is not at all worried to fight in a foreign land.

“Walang problema kung dadayo ako dahil nakapaghanda naman ako. Naka dalawang beses na din akong lumaban sa ibang bansa sa Beijing, China at Macau. Di na bago sa akin na dadayo sa ibang bansa para mag-compete.”

Mama’s manager, Jim Claude “JC” Manangquil, expressed confidence about his fighter’s chances to beat Edwards and become the second world champion from Sanmam Gym after Reymart “Assassin” Gaballo, the interim WBC bantamweight king.

“Sunny Edwards is a great champion but I like Jayson’s chances. He is very hungry and he will do everything to be a world champion,” said Manangquil in earlier interviews.

Interestingly, both Mama and Edwards last fought and won only last April 30.

Mama won by technical decision over Romshane “Hammer: Sarguilla at the Sanmam Gym in General Santos City, while Edwards shocked the previously undefeated champion Moruti Mthalane of South Africa at the York Hall in London to capture the IBF flyweight belt.

Like Mama, Edwards is also 16-0 with four knockouts.

Mama and his team left Manila last Thursday and will continue his training in Dubai where they will stay before flying to London.

“Sa Dubai, tuloy lang ang training at hindi kami magpapabaya. Tapos six days before the fight, pupunta na kami sa London,” added Mama, who also thanked the all-out support of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

“Nagpapasalamt din po ako sa suporta nila Kapatid Eduardo Manalo at Angelo Manalo at iba ko pang mga kapatid sa ibang bahagi ng mundo. Kung ipagkaloob po ni Ama, maiu-uwi ko ang korona sa ating bansa,” said Mama.

Mama made his debut in February 2013 beating Romel Padayhag by technical knockout.

He defeated Michael Camelion of Malaybalay, Bukidnon to win the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Youth flyweight title on Jan. 21, 2018.

He also won by unanimous decision over Yinhuan Sun of China in Macau on Aug. 5, 2018 and Teeraphong Utaida of Thailand in Beijing on March 28, 2019 and TKO over Ekkawit Songnui of Thailand on June 9, 2019.