JANIOLA GETS IBO TITLE SHOT

19.12 - CEBU CITY, Philippines – Filipino boxing phenom Wyndell “Braveheart” Janiola won’t have the luxury of celebrating the holiday season as he opts to go full blast in his preparation of becoming the country’s next world champion.

Janiola, the reigning RP lightflyweight titlist, has accepted an offer to fight for the lightly-regarded International Boxing Organization (IBO) 108lb title versus defending champion Monelisi Mhinkhiza Myekeni February 14 of next year in Naeropa, Sun City, South Africa.

According to Janiola’s manager, Cebu-based American sportsman Terry Carter, they decided to accept the offer dangled by Randy Bergman of Golden Gloves Ltd.for a lowly $5,000 purse.

Janiola (12-0, 5 KO’s) is rated number 5 by the IBF and number 8 by both the WBC and WBA but Carter doesn’t mind losing these lofty ratings. The american manager said they can still challenge the champions of other organizations once they win the IBO title.

“I respect the other organizations a lot. But I guess my boy cannot wait for too long to get a title shot. His time has come so we have to take this big gamble” Said Carter

But Janiola will have his hands full against the crafty Myekeni. The East London native Myekeni has lost only once in 17 professional fights, six ending via the short route.

His lone setback was a fight for the IBF Intrercontinental title against Anis Roga two years ago.

Myekeni won the IBO crown last April over defending champion and two time WBA title challenger Jose Garcia Bernal of Colombia.

Janiola is coming of a clinical 7th round TKO win over Thai Pigmy Muangchaiya Saturday night at the Cantada Sports Complex in Taguig.

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