The heart of a true Cebuano fighter

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu has always been the heartland of boxing in the country. It has produced several world champions and hosted world championshi fights. Cebuano boxing fans are the most loyal and most supportive of their fighters but one son of Cebu who has reached great heights in Muay Thai and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) also deserves the long overdue cheer of his fellow Cebuanos. Maybe his name is to blame or his 'Dela Hoya look-alike features' that make him seem totally foreign, but Ole Baguio-Laursen is a true Cebuano fighter to be recognized in his home country.

Ole was born to a Norwegian father and a Cebuana mother. His family went to Denmark when he was two years old. Despite growing up in a foreign country, Ole always had the heart of a Filipino warrior. Just Like the typical Filipino male, he loves and respects his hardworking Filipina mother who took multiple jobs to raise him and his siblings which is one of the reasons why he wants to give honor to his mother's native land. When he was of age, he left Denmark and lived in the far flung places in Thailand and trained himself to become a relentless kick boxer.

He has fought at least 50 Muay Thai, K-1 and kickboxing fights and has won numerous kickboxing titles in different fighting arenas such as the I.K.F. European championship and the L.M.T.C. World Championship title (2000) and the prestigious King' Cup in Thailand (2002) where in he fought two bouts in one night winning both by TKO. As an MMA fighter, he was matched with the best such as the shooto champion-Caol Uno and Genki Sudo. He is known to put on a good and extremely entertaining fight for everyone. He is very confident and aggressive inside the cage but once outside, just like most Filipino athletes, he is low key and humble.

Ole has attempted many times to play for the Philippine team. In early 2000, he applied in the Philippine Taekwondo team, pencat silat, but unfortunately he was not even allowed to spar. He didn't lose hope and by 2005, he tried out again for the RP boxing team, middleweight division. This time he was accepted but because of a financial crisis, he was forced to withdraw and go back to Thailand to teach kickboxing, where he earned his income.

He is now currently residing in the Philippines and has got back his  Philippine citizenship. His aspiration to fulfill his life-long dream to be cheered by the Filipino crowd is now stronger. He is merely waiting for opportunities to knock on his door and he is very ready and willing to fight in any combat sport--may it be boxing, mixed martial arts or kickboxing just to make his fellowmen proud.

"I am a true Filipino and it is still my ultimate dream to showcase my skills here in the Philippines, the country that I am born in and which will always be special to me," Ole says with a smile. "I know that opportunity will come soon." (FREEMAN)