SUICO ARRIVES IN THE US!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Jul 2006
The Philippines' Randy Suico arrived in LA a few hours ago, ready to rumble with WBA lightweight king Juan Diaz on the undercard of the Shane Mosley-Fernando Vargas battle on July 15 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Suico was accompanied in the trip by trainer Juanito Ablaca, and will stay in LA to get some quality sparring for about a week, before heading off for Las Vegas.
Suico's manager Joe Koizumi will arrive in the US a few days later.
"Ok na kaayo ko. Ready na kaayo ko ni Diaz. Ensayado ko og unta hatagan sa Ginoo og maayong lawas sa July 15," (I'm fine. I'm ready for Diaz. I'm in terrific shape and i hope God gives me good health on July 15), said the self-effacing, humble boy Suico in an interview with this writer before boarding the PAL flight to LA last night.
Meanwhile, Golden Boy Promotions vice-president and matchmaker Eric Gomez, who was in town to watch the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios showdown, has said that Filipino Randy Suico stands a good chance at unseating World Boxing Association lightweight king Juan Diaz when they meet on July 15 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
In an exclusive interview, Gomez expressed confidence that Suico has what it takes to inflict Diaz first-ever career loss, and that he thinks the Filipino fighter is capable of even knocking out Diaz.
"I've seen Suico fight in the United States, and he hits too hard. He stands a very good chance against Diaz," said Gomez upon arrival in Manila.
Golden Boy Promotions, owned by the iconic Oscar De la Hoya, will promote the July 15 card.
While in LA, Suico (24-2, 21 KO's) is being lined up to get quality sparring minutes against Carlos Hernandez and Urbano Antillon.
Solar Sports will air the fight live on July 16, along with the Shane Mosley-Fernando Vargas main event and the Daniel Ponce De Leon-Sod Loknokyangtoy WBO superbantamweight bout.
Koizumi informed in a separate interview that Suico had sparred against top Japanese fighters, and should be ready on fight day.
In Manila, Suico chose two top sparmates Christopher Saluday and Jesar Ancajas to prepare him for the big showdown, after spending a few weeks sparring in Cebu against top Cebu boxers.
"Randy is right now in the best mental and physical situation, and I can assure you he's never looked this good in training," said trainer Juanito Ablaca, just a few minutes before boarding a Philippine Airlines flight last night.
Ablaca, however, emphasized that Diaz is a credible world champion, and should not be taken lightly, although Suico's aim is to beat Diaz and set up a possible showdown with the hugely popular WBC lightweight titlist Diego Corrales.
Diaz (29-0, 14 KO's) will be making the fourth defense of the title he won in 2004.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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