Gello-ani Confident of Bert Batawang's Chances
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 11 Dec 2007
Well-known promoter and boxing manager Sammy Gello-ani says he is confident of the chances of his often frustrated mini flyweight contender Bert Batawang who battles Mexican champion Ulises Solis for the IBF title in Guadalajara on December 15.
Prior to his departure for Los Angeles where they will spend two says before flying to Mexico, Gell-ani said Batawang was in great shape and he was confident the 35 year old fighter would win the title to give the Philippines its fifth reigning world champion, the others being Donnie Nietes, Florante Condes, Nonito Donaire and Gerry Penalosa.
He said that despite his parting of the ways with respected Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer, ?there was no problem at all with Mr. Aldeguer who welcomed Batawang training at the ALA Gym? which helped him stay in great shape because of the roster of fine sparring partners available at the gym .
The Batawang-Ulises fight which was rescheduled for December 8 was once again moved to December 15 because of the promoters problems in getting a television timeslot since most attention was focused on the blockbuster Floyd Mayweather Jr ? Ricky Hatton fight card in Las Vegas.
Gello-ani himself conceded it was best that the fight was postponed for a week so boxing fans ?could concentrate on one event at a time.?
Gello-ani, Batawang and trainer Jeremiah Quijano were scheduled to leave for LA en route to Mexico yesterday. Gello-ani earlier told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that he had no choice but to accept fighting in Mexico since Batawang was the challenger but he indicated he was disappointed with the many postponements especially since Batawang was getting on in years. He is 35.
Batawang said he would strive to avenge the defeat of countryman Rodel Mayol who had Solis on the verge of a knockout in the sixth round of their title fight last August 4 but couldn?t finish off the champion who survived a knockdown and came back to score an eighth round TKO. Solis has a record of 25-1-2 with 19 knockouts while Batawang?s record is 50-6 with 34 knockouts.
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