Saulong bids for IBF title tonite
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 01 Mar 2018
An aggressive style, a never-say-die attitude and a thoroughbred?s stamina are what No. 13 contender Ernesto Saulong of Occidental Mindoro will bring into the ring as he bids to dethrone IBF superbantamweight champion Ryosuke Iwasa at the 11,098-seat Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Stadium in Tokyo tonight.
International referee Silvestre Abainza, who worked Saulong?s win by split decision over Alie Laurel in Pagsanjan in 2013, said it won?t be a cakewalk for the Filipino challenger. Abainza gave Saulong a mandatory eight-count in a sixth round knockdown before the fighter escaped with a hairline verdict over Laurel. ?It?s 50-50,? said Abainza on Saulong?s chances against Iwasa. Last year, Saulong also got up from a knockdown to outpoint Jestoni Autida in Sta. Rosa. In 2015, Saulong was dropped in losing a lopsided decision to Lwandile Sityatha in South Africa and the year before, he was stopped by Rey Megrino in the third round at the Hyatt Hotel in Manila.
Iwasa, who?s 28 like Saulong, will make the first defense of the crown he wrested from countryman Yukinori Oguni in Osaka last September. The Japanese titlist?s record is 24-2, with 12 KOs compared to Saulong?s 21-2-1, with 8 KOs. Iwasa has won his last five outings while Saulong is coming off three wins in a row. Iwasa?s two losses were inflicted by countryman Shinsuke Yamanaka, who reigned as WBC bantamweight king from 2011 to 2017, and English southpaw Lee Haskins. Among Iwasa?s victims were Filipinos Glenn Medura, Dennis Tubieron, Marlon Arcilla, Ricardo Roa, Richard Pumicpic, Jecker Buhawe, Mark John Yap, Jerope Mercado and Marvin Tampus.
Kenny Chevalier of Maryland will be the third man in the ring with New Zealand?s Ian Scott, Japan?s Katsuhiro Nakamura and the Philippines? Greg Ortega as judges. Under IBF rules, two judges may come from the countries of the opposing fighters and the third is neutral.
Working Ancajas? corner will be chief trainer Joven Jimenez whose prized prot?g? is IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas. Saulong trained at the Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite, where Jimenez and Ancajas are based. To prepare for Iwasa, Saulong sparred over 80 rounds with Ancajas, former WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion A. J. Banal and unbeaten superfeatherweight Jerald Daniega.
Jimenez said Iwasa fights like Yamanaka and Saulong like Mexican warrior Jorge Arce. ?Magaling sa harapan si Iwasa at si Saulong parang si Arce, pasok ng pasok,? he said. ?Kay Saulong, gusto niya nasa loob at hindi na lalabas. Mas sanay siya sa loob. Toe to toe, mas pabor din kay Saulong. Pinag-aralan namin yung distansiyahan. Sa nakita ko ngayon, matibay sa tanggapan ng suntok si Saulong. Pero pinapa-focus ko siya sa depensa lalo na sa early rounds.?
Although this is only Saulong?s third overseas outing after trips to China and South Africa, Jimenez said he won?t be intimidated by a hostile crowd. ?Hindi maninibago,? he said. ?Handang-handa at magandang kondisyon.? Jimenez said Saulong?s favorite punches are the uppercut and right straight. If Saulong finds the range early, it could be a short night for Iwasa.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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