RANDY PETALCORIN STEPS IN TO FACE KEN SHIRO AFTER ALVARADO WITHDRAWS
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 23 Nov 2019
CEBU – Former WBA Interim world champion Randy Petalcorin of the Philippines was called in to replace former tormentor Felix Alvarado of Nicaragua who withdrew from his IBF/WBC unification bout against Ken Shiro of Japan scheduled on Dec. 23 in Yokohama.
“Randy has four weeks to get ready and to travel to Japan to fight the best light flyweight in the world,” Petalcorin's co-manager Peter Maniatis has informed Philboxing. “Ken Shiro is a big challenge. But this is a chance of a lifetime for Petalcorin.”
IBF champion Alvarado (35-2-0, 30KOs) reportedly withdrew from his unification bout with Shiro a few days ago due lung illness. Alvarado was on a tear stopping 10 of his last 11 opponents that culminated in a 7th round knockout of Petalcorin to win the IBF belt on Oct. 29, 2018 in Manila. He had since defended the belt once against Reiya Konishi in May this year in Kobe, Japan.
Shiro (16-0-0, 9KOs) held the WBC light flyweight belt since May 20, 2017 and had defended it six times, two against Filipinos Milan Melindo and Jonathan Taconing. Shiro has been considered as one of the best fighters in the lower weights.
Shiro would be a tall order of Petalcorin (31-3-1, 23KOs) who padded his resume against opponents with losing records. When he finally stepped up to face Alvarado last year, he was stopped. Since losing to Alvarado, Petalcorin bounced back to win two straight against journeymen Worawatchai Boonjan (14-21-1) of Thailand and compatriot Reymark Taday (9-10-1).
“Ever since I started boxing, I always wanted to fight the best fighters in the world. Fighting for WBC world title on December 23 is dream come true for me,” said Petalcorin.
Petalcorin will be training at the Sanman Gym of Jim Claude Manangquil in General Santos City.
Fighting on the main event of the Dec. 23 card in Yokohama is WBA world middleweight champion Ryota Murata of Japan who will stake his title against Steven Butler of Canada. Also featured on the card is Moruti Mthalane of South Africa who defends his IBF flyweight title against Akira Yaegashi of Japan.
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