Rey Loreto is ready for his first world title clash at Saturday's Monte-Carlo Boxing Bonanza
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 31 Jan 2014
MANILA, Philippines -- Rey "The Hitman" Loreto, the 23-year-old talented pug from Davao City is gunning for the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) light flyweight opposite 31-year-old South African Nkosinathi Joyi dubbed as Monte-Carlo Boxing Bonanza at the Sporting Monte-Carlo on Saturday.
"He's proven to be something of an upset king," said the 37-year-old Brico Santig, the matchmaker and promoter in the Philippines with the highest number of boxing events last year, including the exciting boxing cards "King of the Ring" staged at different PAGCOR Casino Filipino around Manila.
"We are ready for war," added the Baguio native Santig, the 2013 WBC Asia-Pacific Promoter of the year.
A professional since the age of 17, Loreto beat world ranked former WBA champion Thai warrior Pornsawan Porpramook via technical decision for the WBA interim Pan Asian Jr. Flyweight title last August in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand.
Two years before, fighting again as a big underdog, Loreto knocked out world-rated Wisanu Kokietgym to annex the Pan Asian Light-Flyweight title.
The IBO, which is not one of the four most widely recognised international boxing associations, is known for an accommodating approach in sanctioning title fights.
The Joyi-Lorito fight is on the undercard of South African Rodney Berman's Golden Gloves Promotion, which features in the main bout unbeaten WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin against American-based Ghanaian Osumanu Adama.
Joyi's manager Siphatho Handi for his part said, "We are not taking the Filipino lightly. Under-estimating an opponent can sometimes boomerang and leave you with egg on your face."
In other scheduled bouts at Monte Carlo, Roman Belaev vs. Dean Byrne, 12, for the vacant WBA Continental welterweight title; Max Bursak vs. Jarrod Fletcher, 12, for Bursak's WBA Continental middleweight title and Ilunga Makabu vs. Ruben Angel Mino, 10, for cruiserweights.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Mon, 02 Mar 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
Mon, 02 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
Mon, 02 Mar 2026Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
Mon, 02 Mar 2026Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Sun, 01 Mar 2026Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
Sun, 01 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
Sun, 01 Mar 2026Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
Sun, 01 Mar 2026Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Sun, 01 Mar 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 01 Mar 2026IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 01 Mar 2026DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 01 Mar 2026