REY LORETO DID NOT ALLOW CRITICISM OF HIS RECORD AFFECT HIS QUEST FOR THE TITLE
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Feb 2014
Nobody expected Rey Loreto to win last Saturday in Monte Carlo, Monaco and definitely not with his record of 17 wins (9 KO) against 13 defeats (1 by KO) before his fight last Saturday.
A veteran sports journalist from the country even questioned and tweeted how he was allowed to fight for a world title despite his dismal record.
The journalist mocked the disparity between Joyi who is ranked number 2 and Loreto who is ranked 30th in the IBO rankings.
Loreto?s record may have raised a red flag on some fans of the sport, including the veteran sports journalist who expected him to fold against Nkosinathi Joyi, a former 105 pound champ who is not only an owner of a very good 23 (18 KO) to 2 record but is also seeking his third belt and a second title in another class.
Loreto, only at 23, is well aware of all those criticisms and doubts. But he did not entertain them and instead trained hard, really hard for this fight under the tutelage of former boxer turned trainer, Joven Jorda.
?Pinabayan (ko) na lang yan sila, wala naman din akong makukuha sa kanila. Mahilig lang sila manira. Ok lang yan sa akin," Loreto told Philboxing.com.
(I just let them be. I will not benefit from them. They just wanted to discredit people. That is just fine with me.)
Instead of succumbing to those criticisms, Loreto and his team used that as motivation during fight week, as they prepared against a heavily favored opponent.
?Sabi ni coach sa akin magsikap na lang daw ako sa laro. Sikapin ko daw na manalo ako kasi sinisiraan daw ako,? said Loreto.
(Coach told me to persevere in the fight. He encouraged me to win because people are discrediting me.)
?Sabi ko naman kay coach, Oo Coach, mag sikap ako. Gawin ko hanggang makaya ko, kasi nga, yun daw ang pangit daw ng record ko, bakit daw ako naka laban nang world title,? He added.
(I replied, Yes Coach, I will persevere. I will give all that I can and it is because of those questions about me fighting for a world title despite my bad record.)
His trainer, Jorda, advised him to initiate first against Joyi, to be the first one to throw against the former champion.
?Unahan lagi, tapos jab sa katawan at over hand sa kaliwa,? was Jorda?s instructions to Loreto during the fight.
(I told him to be the first to hit, jab to the body and an overhand left.)
Jorda shared the sentiments of his boxer regarding those who questioned Loreto?s abilities but he believed in his boxer whom he describes as like a brother to him.
?Ang masabi ko lang sir, masyado silang may pinapanigan. Pag natatalo tirahin nila, pag nanalo no comment sila. Kaya sana, matauhan siya sa pag-mata sa mga small boxers,? Jorda opined.
(All I can say sir is that they always take sides. If a boxer loses, they discredit them, if the boxer wins, they have no comments. I do hope, that he will realize this and that he will not look down at small boxers.)
Rey Loreto erased all those doubts and decimated Joyi with a highlight reel knockout in the 3rd round to win the vacant I.B.O. junior flyweight crown last Saturday in Europe.
?Grabeng saya ko po sir, na narating ko na, na nakahawak na ako nang IBO world (title),? expressed the new champ.
(I was ecstatic sir, that I have reached it, that I am now holding the IBO world (title).)
Rey Loreto, Jorda and manager Brico Santig will depart Monte Carlo Sunday afternoon and land Monday afternoon in Manila.
His critics thought it was not possible, they thought that he was already a loser when he left for Monaco last week.
On Monday, Rey Loreto will arrive in the country with an answer to their criticisms ? a world championship belt across his waist.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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