FORMER International Boxing Organization light flyweight world champion Rey Loreto continues his build-up leading to his upcoming title bout next month with his coach believing experience will play a big role in the match-up against undefeated Thai Thammanoon Niyomtrong.
Coach Joven Jorda admits while his prized ward has more experience when it comes to boxing, Niyomtrong is also doubling into Muay Thai, which makes it even harder for Loreto to size up his opponent.
“Di natin pwedeng maliitin ang kalaban. Malaman na lang po sa taas ng ring at doon na din malalaman kung paano kami mag adjust sa laban per round (We cannot underestimate the enemy. We will know once we are in the ring and if we will adjust to the enemy per round),” Jorda told VoxPop Baguio over the weekend.
Loreto is eyeing another world diadem with the World Boxing Association (WBA) world minimum weight title held by Niyomtrong on the line slated July 15 in Chonburi, Thailand.
The Highland Boxing Gym fighter, Jorda said, is set to complete at least 100 rounds of sparring and believes his ward has advantage when it comes to power and speed.
“Sa bilis at sa dami manuntok, dyan and lamang ni Loreto (He punches fast and can punch many times),” added Jorda.
Jorda also said the group decided to move his training camp to Manila to acclimatize with the weather in Thailand.
With barely 20 days before fight night, Jorda bared Loreto’s speed and timing are already peaking while his conditioning has yet to reach its maximum.
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 Pan Asian Boxing Association light flyweight title, including a knockout of Nkosinathi Joyi in 2014 to win the vacant IBO world light flyweight champion.
Niyomtrong, is the first WBA minimum weight 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 has also held the World Boxing Council youth world minimum weight crown. (Roderick Osis)