Lumagda ng kontrata si world ranked super flyweight contender Aston Palicte ng Pilipinas sa pamosong Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions at kaagad ikinasa kay WBC No. 4 flyweight Oscar Cantu ng United States sa 10-round na sagupaan sa Disyembre 17 sa Las Vegas Events Center sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kilala si Palicte sa bansag na “Mighty” at ikinukumpara sa yumaong dating world champion na si Diego Corrales ng Mexico sa kanyang hindi sumusukong estilo ng pakikibasagan ng mukha.
May kartang 21-2-0, tampok ang 18 TKO, si Palicte ang kasalukuyang WBO at IBF Asia Pacific super flyweight titlist at Aston nakalistang No. 11 kay IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas na isa ring Pilipino at No. 15 kay WBO junior bantamweight beltholder Naoya Inoue ng Japan.
May perpektong rekord si Cantu na 14 panalo, 1 lamang sa knockout at kabilang sa mga tinalo niya si dating International Boxing Association Bruno Escalante na tubong Cebu para matamo ang bakanteng NABF flyweight title at Sammy Gutierrez ng Mexico.
Goodbye PBA? John Amores, tinanggalan na ng professional license!
Ayon kay Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions CEO and Co-Founder Keith Veltre, ang magwawagi kina Palicte at Cantu ay posibleng lumaban sa world title bout sa susunod na taon.
“Aston Palicte possess all the right tools to become a world champion,” sabi ni Veltre sa BoxingScene.com. “He is in the hottest, up and coming division and we decided we wanted to make a play at that division. Roy and I looked at Aston and both agreed he possess all the tools that a fighter needs to compete at that level. Roy Jones Jr Boxing Promotions is making a big move this year and Aston will help us get there.”
“I was very happy when I saw the contract because there are so many boxers out there.” Pahayag naman ni Palicte kaugnay ng nalalapit niyang laban. “I was one of the ones they chose. I would also like to thank Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions for the trust they are giving me, they are a big help, especially in my career.” (Gilbert Espeña)
