Heno relishes underdog label
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 09 Oct 2019
Edward Heno.
Bookmakers are giving Filipino challenger Edward Heno only a 15 percent chance to dethrone WBO lightflyweight champion Elwin Soto of Mexico but the OPBF titlist isn?t fazed by the odds and according to his manager Marty Elorde, enjoys being the underdog in their scheduled 12-round fight at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California, on Oct. 24.
Heno, 26, and trainer Roel Durano left Manila for Los Angeles last Sunday. They motored to Las Vegas yesterday to join other Filipino fighters Jhack Tepora, Johnriel Casimero and Romero Duno in camp under Los Angeles-based trainer Rodel Mayol. Heno?s other trainer Erbing Penalosa will be in MMA fighter Brandon Vera?s corner in a ONE lightheavyweight title fight against Myanmar?s Aung La N Sang in Tokyo this Sunday and will head to Las Vegas with Elorde next week.
?Edward knows what the odds are but he doesn?t care,? said Elorde. ?He likes it that way. Dehado siya kaya walang pressure. Edward finds it better to fight if he?s the underdog. But that only means he has to raise his level of fighting because Soto?s making his first defense and he badly wants to retain the title. Palaban si Soto. It?s not an easy fight. I just hope Edward?s in top condition.?
Before leaving, Heno had already brought up his sparring to 12 rounds. ?I don?t think weight will be a problem,? said Elorde. ?He was between 118-120 pounds in Manila. There?s enough time to bring down his weight to 108. It was a good decision to fly him to the US early so he can acclimatize. The other day, he texted me that he?s still adjusting to the time difference and having trouble sleeping. He?ll get over it in a few days.?
Elorde said nutritionist Jeaneth Aro submitted a diet plan for Heno to follow, similar to what she does in preparing IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas for his fights. However, Heno hasn?t stuck to the program. ?Edward has a mind of his own,? said Elorde. ?He adjusted Jeaneth?s plan because he doesn?t like eating the same food for lunch and dinner. It was the same with our conditioning coach. Edward reworked his conditioning drills which he told me, are harder than what the coach wants him to do.?
Elorde said he doesn?t mind Heno?s attitude as long as it translates into a winning performance. ?Edward?s confidence level is like Sen. Manny Pacquiao?s,? he said. ?He hasn?t fought since February and the long layoff could be a factor working against him. Soto?s last fight was in May. But Edward?s not worried. He believes this is his time and he?ll come home a world champion.?
Elorde said Filipino dentist Dr. Ed de la Vega, who practices in San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles, will be in Heno?s corner as cutman. ?Doc Ed?s our lucky charm,? he said. ?He was in Donnie Nietes? corner for 11 fights and Nietes never lost. Doc Ed made a mouthpiece for Edward. I met Doc Ed and his good friend Jhay Otamias, a well-known sports photographer, in L. A. and they?re both very helpful.?
Elorde said no matter the outcome, he?s happy that Heno will get a chance to fight for the world crown. ?So many good fighters never even get the opportunity,? he s
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
LAS VEGAS FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS MILLER AND PERO COLLIDE IN WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR – LIVE ON DAZN
Fri, 24 Apr 2026Undefeated Knockout Artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones Headlines First-Ever DAZN Card Against Former World Champion Vincenzo “Il Capo” Gualtieri
Fri, 24 Apr 2026Mexican female stars Mayelli Flores and Irma ¨Torbellino¨ Garcia sign with MVP
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Basil to fight Britanico on April 26 in Delpan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Race briefing of Mt. Apo Boulder Face on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Camigue fights in Tanzania on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Team USA Captures Three More Wins on Day Three at World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
Fri, 24 Apr 20261,400 runners in Sagisag Davao Leg
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026The Marvelous Cup Invitational tourney set
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing!
By Ralph Rimpell, Thu, 23 Apr 2026All Star Boxing Announces 'Clash of the Unbeaten' on May 22nd In Panama
Thu, 23 Apr 2026Oliver Laroya Chess Tournament on April 25
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 23 Apr 2026Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25
Thu, 23 Apr 2026WBC WORLD CHAMPION DALTON SMITH SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM BOXING
Thu, 23 Apr 2026