Boxing
Young fighter Petalcurin ‘perfect blend of speed, power’
Randy Petalcurin, left, will face Samartlek Chaiyonggym at Mandaluyong City Gym on Saturday
Slow but sure.
That’s the attitude being followed by the camp of rising Filipino fighter Randy Petalcurin, who takes the limelight this Saturday night when he defends the Pan-Asia Boxing Association light-flyweight title against Thai toughie Samartlek Chaiyong-gym at the Mandaluyong Gymnasium.
“I am not rushing things,” said Petalcurin’s American trainer Rick Staheli during Wednesday’s press conference at the 8 Spices restaurant in Quezon City.
Staheli once trained a young Manny Pacquiao during the latter’s run to his first world title.
Petalcurin, who holds a 16-1 win-loss card with 13 knockouts, however, would not say if his Thai foe will last the distance or not but assured fight fans of a night of fistic fireworks.
“Basta’t magandang laban ang aking ibibigay,” said the 21-year-old Petalcurin, whose fighting style reminds jaded observers of the game of Rolando Navarrete.
Staheli said Petalcurin is a much improved version because his fighter has the perfect blend of speed and power.
“This guy has some serious skills,” said Staheli.
AKTV is staging the fight in partnership with local promoters and the network’s executive Vito Lazatin said they are living up their promise of bringing big-time boxing on a regular basis.
Up next for AKTV is a joint promotion with Sammy Gello-ani that will be headlined by Johnriel Casimero, who will stake his interim IBF light-fly diadem sometime in June.
Casimero is best remembered for his gallant action during a riot that took place after he stopped local boy Luis Lazarte a few months ago in Argentina.a
