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:
Álvarez vs. Crawford: "Champions of Champions"
By Gary Todd, Fri, 30 May 2025WEIGHTS FROM LAS VEGAS: MELIKUZIEV - 166.8 LBS., FULGHUM - 167.6 LBS.
Fri, 30 May 2025Former Champion Jaime Munguía Notified of Possible Failed Drug Test
Fri, 30 May 2025WEIGHTS AND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR MANUEL GALLEGOS VS. KHALIL COE REMATCH IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
Fri, 30 May 2025Championship Summer: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas to Battle Mexico’s Jorge Garcia for WBO Jr. Middleweight Crown July 26 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN
Fri, 30 May 2025José Sulaimán Honored as New Gym Inaugurated in México State
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 29 May 2025Approval of 17 new applications sees membership of World Boxing surpass100 National Federations
Thu, 29 May 2025SBA Scouting Tour Kicks Off in Cagayan de Oro
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 29 May 2025Sampson Boxing Signs Openly Gay South American Boxer Oscar Bonifacino to Promotional Contract
Thu, 29 May 2025OK-C you in the Finals Soon, Indy or NY; Thunder Oust Minnesota in Five, 124-94
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 29 May 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Remembering Don José Sulaimàn
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 29 May 2025Manalo’s son Dylan secures victory
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 29 May 2025Manny’s induction to proceed
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 29 May 2025Hall of Fame Boxing Promoter Don King Wins $1.1 Million Purse Bid To Promote WBA Regular Heavyweight World Champion Kubrat Pulev Facing No. 2 Contender Michael Hunter On August 23
Thu, 29 May 2025Super middleweight division to open up, Darius Fulghum plans to make his move
Thu, 29 May 2025