DAPUDONG EXPECTS SLUGFEST IN IBO SUPER FLYWEIGHT TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST WBF CHAMPION SITHYATHA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 15 Jul 2014
Heavy handed Edrin ?The Sting? Dapudong makes the first defense of his IBO super flyweight title aganst WBF champion Lwandile Sithyatha of South Africa in East London, South Africa on July 19 Manila Time.
Boxing writers in South Africa have described Sithyatha as a come-forward fighter like a robot but that he enters the ring always super fit which indicates that Dapudong will have to be in good shape to retain his title, possibly by a stoppage.
When the 26 year old Sithyatha won the vacant WBF title against undefeated countryman Siphosethu Mvula at the Orient Theater in East London last May 31, a high work rate was the key factor in the twelve-round fight.
Sithyatha who is ranked No. 18 won a somewhat one-sided decision which improved his record to 16-3-1 with 7 knockouts. South African media reported that the newly crowned WBF champion had beaten a very promising contender with a record of 7-1 with 6 knockouts.
The 28 year old Dapudong who has a record of 30-4 with 18 knockouts is handled by former North Cotabato governor and journalist Manny Pinol, arrived to the biting cold of South Africa along with trainers Nonoy Neri and Rex Penalosa.
Pinol informed the Manila Standard that Dapudong did a one hour run and light exercises at Kempton Park in Johannesburg tipped the scales at 117 pounds just two pounds over the limit.
Pinol quoted Dapudong as saying ?I feel good? while trainer Neri is confident that Dapudong who is a notoriously slow starter ?will be faster this time.?
Pinol noted that the South African challenger is a relentless attacker and he expects an exciting toe-to-toe slugfest.
Dapudong won the IBO title with a smashing 1st round knockout of Gideon Buthelezi in a rematch on June 15, 2013 which was ordered by the IBF after a controversial split decision loss in their first fight on November 10, 2012.
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