PIPILITIN ni Aussie promoter Peter Maniatis na gawin sa Melbourne, Australia ang pagsagupa ng boksingero niyang Pinoy na si ex-WBA interim light flyweight champion Randy Petalcorin at No. 1 contender Felix Alvarado ng Nicaragua para sa bakanteng IBF junior flyweight title.

“I will try bring the vacant IBF title to Melbourne, Australia,” sabi ni Maniatis sa Fightnews.com. “It’s a great 50/50 fight. Both Alvarado and Petalcorin have power and both box very smart and set up attacks well with great boxing records.”

Kasalukuyang nagsasanay si Petalcorin sa Sanman Gym sa General Santos City na pag-aari ng kanyang co-manager na si Jim Managquil.

“Randy’s strength is he’s a very fast and sharp boxer with power in both hands. Petalcorin is also a southpaw and uses the angles very well,” diin ni Maniatis. “We think Randy is ready with over 30 professional bouts and the fact Randy was the WBA interim world champion four years ago at 22 years of age makes him a seasoned boxer.”

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Tiniyak din ni Maniatis na handang-handa na sa world title fight si Petalcorin na may huling anim na sunod na panalo, 5 sa pamamagitan ng knockouts.

“Of course, Randy is 100% ready and focused. He has fought in Melbourne four times since 2013 so he’s familiar with Melbourne,” dagdag ni Maniatis. “Both Alvarado and Petalcorin are the most avoided boxers in the light flyweight division. I rate Alvarado very high.”

May rekord si Petalcorin na 29-2-1 na may 22 pagwawagi sa knockouts kumpara kay Alvarado na may 33 panalo, 2 talo na may 29 pagwawagi sa knockouts.

-Gilbert Espeña