BATAWANG BATTLES SOLIS FOR IBF TITLE IN MEXICO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 20 Nov 2007
Bert Batawang will finally get his long-deserved title shot against IBF champion Ulises Solis in Guadalajara, Mexico on December 8.
The 35 year old Batawang?s manager Sammy Gello-ani told Viva Sports/Manila that he had no real choice but to agree to fight in Mexico since his fighter was the challenger and had been disappointed with the many postponements. Besides, he was getting on in years although extremely fit because of his lifestyle.
Gello-ani disclosed that Batawang continues to train at the ALA Gym of his longtime associate Tony Aldeguer even though they have reportedly parted ways bringing to end a valued and highly successful association of some 30 years. Gello-ani said ?there is no problem with Mr. Aldeguer in Bert training at the ALA Gym.?
Last September well-known international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz said he believes the Philippines ?will have another champion? to add to the three world titles won recently by Florante Condes (IBF minimum weight) Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire (IBF/IBO flyweight) and Gerry Penalosa (WBO bantamweight).
Batawang will strive to avenge the defeat of Rodel Mayol who had Solis on the verge of a knockout in the sixth round of their title clash last August 4 but couldn?t finish off the champion who survived a knockdown and came back to score an eighth round TKO.
Solis who won the IBF light flyweight title on January 7, 2006 against Will Grigsby has had four successful defenses, the last being against Mayol and has a record of 25-1-2 with 19 knockouts.
Batawang, on the other hand has a record of 50-6 with 34 knockouts and has won his last five fights, three by TKO and two by KO. In his last fight Batawang scored a fourth round TKO over tough Indonesian Sofyan Efendi on February 24 this year.
Batawang stayed behind in Los Angeles with trainer Jeremiah Quijano hoping that the Solis fight would take place last September 16 and continued training at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach. However, when the fight was postponed a downhearted Batawang returned home and continued working out at the ALA Gym.
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