Lunas targets WBA crown

15.12.03 – By Dennis Principe: BALANGA, Bataan, Philippines – Current Pan Asia Boxing Association (PABA) flyweight champion Rolly Lunas of the Philippines has guaranteed to leave no stones unturned in his quest to give the country another world boxing title sometime next year.

To be able to build up his quest for a shot at the world crown, Lunas will stake his prized title versus veteran Thai champion Phises Vor Surapol on December 19 at the People’s Gym in Balanga, Bataan.

The 19-year old Lunas (15-2, 8 KO’s) is currently rated #14 in the latest World Boxing Association (WBA) ratings and will definitely improve his rankings should he win convincingly over Surapol.

The defending WBA flyweight ruler, Eric Morel of Puerto Rico plans to move up in weight early next year to challenge any of the top superflyweight champions of the world.

This will create a mad rush among the present top ten contenders to battle it out for the right to challenge for the soon-to-be-vacant title, which in turn will give Lunas a much easier way of barging into the top ten ratings.

“Lunas is on track to realize his dream of becoming a world champion. But he must focus first on his coming title defense in Bataan because Surapol is not a flash in the pan type of fighter” said promoter Jun Sarreal.

Sarreal said Surapol is a well-traveled slugger who has fought in Japan, Indonesia, China and Australia.

Surapol won the Thailand Flyweight title by decisioning one-time Manny Pacquiao foe Panomdej Or Yuthanakorn on September 16, 2001 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Surapol once vied for the PABA lightflyweight belt, losing by a 12-round unanimous decision to Mongolian knockout artist Yura Dima five years ago in China.

June of this year, Surapol had another gallant but losing stand, bowing to OPBF champion Hideyasu Ishihara via another 12-round decision in Nagoya, Japan.

The Lunas-Surapol 12-round encounter, entitled “Bakbakan sa Bataan Part III” is being presented by LS International in cooperation with Bataan Governor Leonardo “Ding” Roman. Proceeds of the fight will go to the construction of the local library in Balanga.