By Dennis Principe
19.08 - MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines may end up having three world boxing champions before year ends.
One of them could be WBC #10 and IBF #7 lightflyweight contender Wyndel “Braveheart” Janiola of Cebu (an hour away from Manila) who is slated to face reigning WBC lightflyweight champion Jorge Arce of Mexico on September 6.
Janiola’s name is being considered by Arce’s handlers after the Cebuano’s successful thrashing of former WBC champion Saman Sorjaturong of Thailand last April.
Sorjaturong, who made 10 successful title defenses, is the same boxer who kayoed Mexican legend Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzales in the 7th round to snatch the WBC/IBF belts last 1995 in California. The Sorjaturong-Gonzales epic brawl was later adjudged “Fight of the Year” by the prestigious Ring Magazine.
Janiola’s American manager, Terry Carter immediately buckled down to work upon learning about the plans of Arce’s camp and started negotiating for the confirmation of the title fight. Janiola's camp informed their readiness to fight Arce thru an e-mail.
“My boy is ready. When I talked with him he confidently told me he will never back off from any
challenge most especially if it means fighting for the world title.” Carter said.
Arce is reportedly bound to make two title defenses for the popular Mexican boxing TV series “Solo Boxeo” with the other date scheduled on November 16.
The 22 year old stylish Janiola, 22 (11-0, 3 KO’s) is the reigning Philippine light-flyweight champion which he won from Celso Danggud by majority decision last
February in Cebu.
The Philippines currently have Manny Pacquiao as the only legitimate world champion via his IBF
superbantamweight diadem. Pacquiao is scheduled to defend the title on October 19 in Davao City against IBF #4 Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym of Thailand.
Pacquiao is expected to have a trouble-free title defense against his Thai opponent who feasted on
nondescript fighters in coming up with a 35-2 win-loss record, 22 by knockout.
On November 8, WBC #1 superflyweight Gerry Peñalosa will try to snatch, perhaps for the last time, the WBC 115 lb. title from defending champion Masamori Tokuyama of Japan.
Peñalosa’s American trainer Freddie Roach recently phoned Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario and assured that Gerry’s fans “will be surprised” when he faces Tokuyama in their rematch. Before taking on Tokuyama, Peñalosa will be having his last tune-up match on August 20 by defending his WBC International title against Seiji Tanaka of Japan at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii.
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