AS FORMER IBO world light flyweight champion Rey Loreto travels to Thailand Saturday, July 8, for his upcoming bout on July 15, coach Joven Jorda urged his ward to bring the fight to the Thai champion right at the start of the opening bell.
Loreto, who will challenge World Boxing Association (WBA) world minimumweight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong next week, needs more than an impressive performance to win the crown which is set in Chonburi.
“Pag start nang laban, pauunahin ko nang suntok si Loreto,” Jorda told Sun.Star Baguio.
However, Jorda told Loreto should also be careful in his attacks as Niyomtrong has powerful straight punches which are evident in seven knock outs out of his 15 victories.
Loreto has logged more than 100 rounds of sparring in his training camp which started at the Highland Boxing Gym in La Trinidad, then polished their game plan in Manila for at least three weeks before breaking the camp.
Jorda bared Loreto has improved his right jab and his timing as he seeks to unseat the undefeated Thailander right in front of a hostile Thai crowd.
“Since magaling sa depensa ang kalaban, pipilitin naming makapasok ng mga suntok sa gilid kasi medyo mahirap tamaan sa gitna nang mukha ang kalaban,” added Jorda. “Kahit anong strategy na gagawin nang kalaban, naka handa kami sa lahat nang angle.”
Jorda said Loreto still needs to shed at least four pounds but dispelled any alarm his ward will not meet the cut off weight before fight night.
Loreto, with a record of 23 wins, and 13 loses is riding high on a seven-fight winning streak, which dates back to 2013 when he defeated Pornsawan Porpramook for the interim PABA light flyweight title, including a knockout of Nkosinathi Joyi in 2014 to win the vacant IBO world light flyweight champion.
Niyomtrong, was the first WBA minimumweight interim-champion and won the regular belt after defeating Nicaragua Byron Rojas, and has defended it twice.
The 26–year–old boxer also scored notable wins against Fapikat Twins Gym, KOji Itagaki and Rungrit Sor Visetkit all in 2016 via technical knockout.
Niyomtrong, on the other hand, has also held the WBC youth world minimumweight crown. (Roderick Osis)