AFTER a successful mandatory defense of his International Boxing Organization junior flyweight belt, Rey Loreto now has the luxury of choosing his next opponent and his manager, Brico Santig, is eyeing World Boxing Council king Pedro Guevarra for a unification bout.
Loreto and his trainer Joven Jorda quietly arrived back in Manila recently following the former’s stunning first-round knockout against South African Nkosinathi Joyi at the Mdantsane Gymnasium on Sunday in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa, where he successfully defended the crown he stole against the same foe more than a year ago.
“Hinog na si Loreto for greater fights. We will try to reach the camp of Guevarra to arrange the bout,” said Santig, who failed to join his wards in South Africa due to a visa problem.
Guevarra won his last six fights, three of them by KO, and the last was against Japanese Yaegashi to claim the WBC lightflyweight title. His fight record of 24 wins (16 KOs), 1 loss, 1 draw does not intimidate Loreto.
“Sanay na si Loreto na underdog, kaya wala sa kanya ‘yang records pag-akyat ng ring,” said Santig.
Loreto, a native of Davao del Sur, had a record of 8 losses and 11 wins before hooking up with Santig and trainer Joven Jorda in La Trinidad, Benguet to become a mature fighter the he is now. He won 12 of last 14 fights for a total fight record of 20 wins (12 KOs) and 13 losses.
In fact, his credentials were even questioned by some boxing observers before his title fight to Joyi in February last year, saying he could be entering the lion’s den against the two-time world champion.
He, however, silenced his critics by knocking out Joyi and repeated the same feat in their rematch despite seemingly insurmountable odds.
His trainer recalled how they cried together at the dressing room before going out to the arena. They arrived in East London two days before the fight, with nothing much but their faith in God.
“Hindi kami nakapag-ensayo ng husto dahil sa injury nya. Dahil wala si boss (Brico) doon, hindi naasikao ‘yung tamang pagkain namin. Umiiyak kami pareho sa dressing room before the fight, sabi ko kay Loreto, kahit naman pareho tayong buwang-buwang (crazy), ito ang isa sa mga oras na talagang sa Diyos lang tayo aasa,” said Jorda.
Loretosaid he will use the purse to build his dream house in Davao. Problem is, the prize money he was promised has not yet been given to his manager.
Brico did not elaborate but said they are still waiting.