BATAWANG SEES A GOOD FIGHT WITH SOLIS
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 13 Dec 2007
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO -- Filipino world title challenger Bert "Ninja" Batawang, who is trying to become the Philippines' fifth world champion this year, sees a good fight with local boy IBF minifly champion Ulises "Archie" Solis this coming Saturday at the Auditorio Benito Juarez here.
Batawang, who is visibly in high spirits and who arrived here last night from Los Angeles together with trainer Jeremiah Quijano and manager Samson Gello-ani, told PhilBoxing.com: "I am ready and excited to fight Solis on Saturday. I am slightly taller than him. This will be a very good fight."
A press conference was held this morning in the downtown area of Guadalajara where Batawang and Solis met face to face for the first time and had a chance to size up each other.
The Solis-Batawang fight dubbed as "Golpes de Poder" and is promoted by Zanfer Promotions of Guillermo Brito Rodriguez, is the culmination of the often-postponed fight between the two protagonists orginally scheduled last Sep. 16 in Las Vegas.
Solis (25-1-2 19KOs), younger brother of super featherweight Jorge Solis whom Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao defeated in San Antonio, captured the IBF light flyweight crown from Will Grigsby of the United States on Jan. 7, 2006 at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Solis has defended the title five times the last one against Filipino top prospect Rodel Mayol whom Solis knocked out in a spectacular fashion in the 8th round during their 12-round contest at the All-State Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
Batawang (50-6-0 34KOs), is now in the twilight of his long 17-year career and is making a last stab at boxing glory. Batawang has been regarded as one of the hardest punchers of his division and had stopped nine of his last ten opponents inside the distance.
Trainer Jeremiah Quijano told PhilBoxing that Batawang had sparred 107 rounds in preparation for this fight which began first week of November. Batawang, who had trained at the ALA Gym all throughout, sparred with righties Rollen del Castillo, Mark Joseph Yap and Milan Milendo.
Batawang weight 110 lbs today, just 2 lbs over the minifly weight limit, and did a light workout in the afternoon at the Victoria Express Hotel gym, one of the fight sponsors where the participants of the event have been billeted.
Guadalajara, said to have the nicest weather in Mexico all year round, is a welcome place for Team Batawang who came from the chilling cold in Los Angeles.
In the main support bouts, Humberto Gutierrez of Los Mochis will go against Rodrido Juarez of Tijuana while Fernando "Wary" Beltran of Culiacan will battle Jose "Exterminador" Arboleda of Panama.
Top photo: Bert Batawang (R)and trainer Jeremiah Quijano pose at the Victoria Express Hotel Gym this afternoon where Batawang did a light workout.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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