Fuentes guns for vacant IBF flyweight title today
Lean and mean. That’s how topnotch boxing trainer Edmund Villamor described Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) flyweight champion Rocky “Road Warrior” Fuentes who will battle Thai Amnat Ruenroeng this afternoon for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) world flyweight title at the Liptapanlop Hall in Thailand.
Fuentes (32-6-2, 20KOs) and Ruenroeng (11-0, 5KOs) both tipped the scales at 112lbs during yesterday’s official weigh-in paving the way for the Filipino’s first world title challenge against an unbeaten foe.
The weigh-in was attended by Villamor, ALA Promotions Vice President Dennis Cañete, IBF Supervisor Ray Reed of Australia and Kiat Kreerin Promotions’ Jimmy Chaitchotchung.
To show that he prepared well for today’s fight, Fuentes displayed his ripped muscles in front of the mostly Thai spectators.
Villamor said he is confident of his ward’s chances due to the latter’s grueling training in Cebu. He said Fuentes has become more accurate and more lethal.
Fuentes was supposed to fight Puerto Rican McWilliams Arroyo on Jan. 25 for the IBF title eliminator but the match was cancelled. He was then called by the IBF to fight Ruenroeng for the vacant IBF flyweight title.
“Lahi ra jud kaayo si Rocky karon sa akong nakita kay grabe siya ka focus sa iyang training unya sakto sad kaayo ang gitas-on sa iyang training nga fit jud kaayo para sa championship fight,” said Villamor.
According to Villamor, they intend to dominate each round since Thailand is noted for hometown decisions.
“Kinahanglan mi makadaog round by round kay lisod bya ni ang Thailand. Ang knock-out mo abot ra jud na. Kinahanglan ra jud na ug timing ni Rocky,” Villamor told Cebu Daily News (CDN).
He mentioned that the judges officiating today’s title fight included an Australian, an American and a Thai.
If Fuentes will win, he will join three other Cebu-based reigning world champions namely two division and current WBO lightflyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (38-1-4, 18KOs), WBO minimumweight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo (23-0-1, 12KOs) and IBF lightflyweight champion Johnriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero (19-2, 11KOs).
The bout will start at 4:30 p.m.
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