EDRIN DAPUDONG MAY TRAIN IN MEXICO
By Manny Piñol
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 01 Jul 2013
-- With a world boxing title, North Cotabato's first, which he has to defend and a competition which is expected to be tougher, International Boxing Organization (IBO) Junior Bantamweight champion Edrin "The Sting" Dapudong may yet train in Mexico in preparation for his next fight.
Former Mexican boxing star Marco Antonio Barrera Tapia and his trainer-brother Jorge Agustin Barrera Tapia have offered their gymnasium in Mexico City as the training camp of Dapudong.
"Marco and Jorge are very excited to have Dapudong train in their gym in Mexico City," physical therapist Jeff de Guzman, a friend of the Barreras, relayed to me yesterday.
With the approval of my brothers, who co-own the Braveheart Boxing Club of North Cotabato, Dapudong may take the trip by the middle of July to Mexico City.
The consideration to send Edrin to a training camp abroad, specifically Mexico, was prompted by the realization that there is still a lot to be improved in the Filipino boxer's fighting style to ensure that he will survive the tougher opponents in his title defenses.
While Dapudong packs a lot of power, there is an admitted flaw in the way he delivers some of his punches which would sometimes come from very wide angles thus reducing the impact and power.
There is also a need to stabilize his stance and enhance his shiftiness inside the ring.
The Mexico training is expected to elevate the level of sparring sessions for Dapudong as there are many outstanding Mexican fighters in the flyweight and junior bantamweight division.
"Edrin needs to work and train harder now that he is a world champion because he will be fighting opponents who also would like to be world champion," said my elder brother, retired police Col. Pat Pinol who had identified Dapudong as future world champion even when he was still a gangling amateur fighter.
Dapudong, who turned 27 last week, has a record of 29 wins with 17 KOs against 5 losses. At 5' 5", he is considered tall for a flyweight or junior bantamweight.
He won the IBO Junior Bantamweight title June 15 in Johannesburg, South Africa by a first round knockout of Zulu fighter Gideon Buthelezi.
It was their second meeting. In November last year, Dapudong lost to Buthelezi by a controversial split decision even when he knocked down the South African in the 9th round.
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