Australian-based Filipino, Roberto ?Hands of Stone? Lerio fights for the vacant Australian Bantamweight belt in Queensland
By Myron Sta. Ana
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 13 Apr 2012
While Filipino fight fans all over the world are waiting for yet another expectedly-impressive showing by the country?s top lightweight contender, Mercito ?No Mercy? Gesta (24-0-1, 12 KOs) this Sunday morning (Saturday night in the States) at the Mandalay Bay Resorts & Casino of Las Vegas, Nevada and the long-awaited comeback of former Interim WBA Super Flyweight champion, Drian ?Gintong Kamao? Francisco (21-1-1, 16 KOs) tomorrow at the Sablayan Astrodome in Mindoro Occidental; another Filipino will be fighting a foreigner and this time in Australia.
Although this may be considered trivial or not worthy of anyone?s attention, this boxer deserves to get all the support that he needs for fighting in behalf of the country behind enemy?s lines.
Our fellow Filipino, 25-year old Roberto ?Hands of Stone? Lerio (13-14-1, 5 KOs) will be fighting the undefeated yet relatively-inexperienced Jason ?Nugget? Cooper (2-0-1, 2 KOs) of Queensland, Australia tomorrow afternoon (evening in Australia) at the Norths Leagues & Services Club in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Roberto Lerio, who was born and raised in General Santos City but has now been living in Australia, will be lacing up his boxing gloves again despite seven back-to-back losses that started in April 2009. Prior to his streak of losses though, he used to be the Australian Super Bantamweight titlist back in December 2008 when he won via 7th-round technical decision over Australian Mark Quon who had a record 3-1-0, 1 KO then. In that fight, the referee stopped the contest on cut in the 7th-round after an accidental head clash. Fortunately, he was leading on two of the judges? scorecards and won thereafter. He fights out of the Out West Fight Club of Todd Makelim, his current trainer who is known to be one of Manny Pacquiao?s knockout victims when he was still a professional boxer back in the late ?90s.
On the other hand, his opponent; Jason Cooper is a 20-year old local boxer from Brisbane who only has three professional fights so far with two wins and one draw and two of his wins all coming by way of knockout. He fights out of the Deception Bay Boxing Club owned by matchmaker, Damian Smith and is also the present Queensland Featherweight champion. His last fight was last September when he knocked out compatriot Matthew ?C4? Seden in the 5th-round of an 8-rounder to win the then-vacant belt he owns now.
This fight may just be another fight for the General Santos City native, who has already found his new home in Australia, but let us all hope he wins the title and adds more pride to the country and the Filipino people worldwide.
This fight is going to be the main event of the card billed as ?RISING STARS? and was organized and promoted by the Deception Bay Boxing Club owner and matchmaker, Mr. Damian Smith. Check the picture herein for more details.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Myron Sta. Ana.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Dec 2025United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025