Janiola shoots for OPBF crown tonight

By Dennis Principe

11.05 - FORMER undefeated Philippine lightflyweight champion Wyndel Janiola guns for the vacant Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) crown as he faces Japanese Shingo Yamaguchi tonight at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

The 22-year old Janiola is coming off a failed bid for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title after losing a highly-disputed 12-round decision to defending South African champion Mhikiza Myekeni last February 15 in South Africa.

Janiola’s American manager Terry Lee Carter filed a protest with the IBO but the organization later junked the said complaint.

Janiola, who claims to have learned a lot instead of sulking from his heartbreaking loss in South Africa, has sparred for more that 100 rounds mostly against PABA champion Marvin Tampus and undefeated Philippine minimumweight champion Rodel Mayol.

Days before leaving for Japan, Janiola expressed his readiness in bringing home the OPBF crown and join superfeatherweight Randy Suico, lightweight Dennis Laurente and bantamweight Jess Maca as the country’s current oriental champions.

The Cebu-based Janiola has compiled an impressive record of 13 wins, 1 loss with five knockouts.

Janiola turned professional on May 28, 2000 where he stopped Vergel Tagalog in a single round.

He won the Philippine crown by decisioning Celso Danggod on February 8, 2002 in Cebu City.

Janiola vacated the RP title to pursue his bid for the IBO crown of Myekeni.

On the other hand, Yamaguchi (13-3-1, 7 KO’s) had an unsuccessful bid for the WBC crown after losing by 10th round TKO against then champion Korean Yo-Sam Choi in Chiba, Japan about a year ago.