VASQUEZ READY FOR FRANCISCO; MILENDO IN CHIEF SUPPORT
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 29 Aug 2009
Panama's Roberto "The Spider" Vasquez has been all-out in his rigid training as he prepares for unbeaten Filipino Drian Francisco in the main event of the big October 3 card at the Cuneta Astrodome dubbed "Duelo Del Guapos."
"(He) is taking this fight very seriously because he knows exactly the advantages of an underdog in a fight," said Vasquez' representative Carlos E. Gonzalez in a message to Philboxing.com yesterday.
Francisco versus Vasquez will be for the vacant WBA International superflyweight title. The event will be promoted by Solar Entertainment and Saved By the Bell Promotions of Elmer Anuran.
Vasquez, according to Gonzalez, will not be making the mistake of not taking this fight seriously, the same mistake that former world champion Beibis Mendoza committed on the 25th of April of 2005 when he faced an unknown Roberto Vasquez with a record very similar to the one Drian Francisco has today.
"For me there are no easy rivals nor easy fights, specially if I?m fighting outside my country. I have a lot of respect for the Filipino fighters because I know they are strong, disciplined, eager and committed, so I know it will be a good fight," said Vasquez.
Vasquez will come into the fight with the best available help in his corner composed of his brother Roger Vasquez, an ex-WBA Central American champion and Mr. Rogelio Cousins a very experienced veteran in the sport of boxing who has previously worked with several Panamanian world champs including hall of fame legend Roberto ?Hands of Stone? Duran, Hilario Zapata, Alfonso L?pez, V?ctor C?rdoba, Carlos? El Puas? Murillo, Guillermo Jones, and Nicaraguan flyweight king Rosendo Alvarez among many others.
"You just need to take a look at the quality of the Filipino boxers of today, starting with Manny Pacquiao, followed by Nonito Donaire, Milan Melindo, Brian Viloria and many others to know that we will have a good opposition. I can assure you that we are working as hard as we can to win this fight. I don?t care if Drian Francisco has not fought any big names yet, the only thing I know is that he has the hunger and the guts to call out a fight against the spider, and I consider that something to be aware of," said trainer Roger Vasquez.
"The preparation for this fight hasn?t varied from the ones previously held for other combats, starting with a 1 hour run at 5:00 a.m. regular physical and tactic training from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00p.m. and ending with a 1 hour evening run at 7:00 p.m," added Gonzalez.
Team Vasquez has also tapped the best available sparring partners including the world ranked Ricardo ?The Mathematician? Nu?ez, the late Jos? ?Maco? Arboleda (who recently died in a car accident), Jean Piero Perez and world champion Nehomar Cerme?o, who recently defeated Cristian Mijares.
"Despite problems making the weight at the 108 and 112 flyweight divisions, Roberto feels very comfortable fighting at the 115 super flyweight division, even though his demolishing power is not the same as it used to be in the lower categories."
Meanwhile, outstanding ALA fighter Milan Milendo has been included as the chief support for the fight, possibly against Adrian Hernandez of Mexico.
Milendo was originally scheduled to face compatriot Denver Cuello of the Jaro Stable in Hawaii this weekend, but the fight had to be scrapped at the last minute.
Also included in the October 3 card is Michael Farenas who will take on a Korean opponent, while Filipino Al Sabaupan takes on Mexican Josafat Perez, who fought Jorge Linares last June for the WBA superfeatherweight world title.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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