FEARSOME Felix Alvarado of Nicaragua already hit town together with his team a week before he battles Filipino Randy Petalcorin for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight crown at the Midas Hotel and Casino on Monday.
The 29-year-old Alvarado, who has a record of 33-2, with 29 KOs, arrived Monday night along with head trainer Luis Ernesto Cortez,assistant Wilmer Hernandez, and promoter Pablo Osuna.
Cortez and Osuna carry with them impressive credentials.
The veteran Nicaraguan trainer had worked the corner of legendary three-time world champion Alexis Arguello, while Hernandez served as cutman for current World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title holder Cristofer Rosales and former top pound-for-pound fighter Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzales.
Alvarado vows to come back to Nicaragua a world champion.
“I need and will bring that belt home to Nicaragua. I have waited for so long for this chance and will never let it to,” he said.
“My country is filled with conflicts and tragedies. This win will be my gift to the Nicaraguan people.”
Alvarado has not lost in his last 15 fights since 2013, but had lost in his two previous attempts of winning a world title.
He lost by unanimous decision to Kazuto Ioka for the World Boxing Association (WBA) light-flyweight belt in 2013, and then absorbed the same beating against Juan Carlos Reveco for the same crown a year later.
But the Nicaraguan said he’s not going to leave his fate in the hands of the judges this time.
“Come fight night, I am just claiming the win I deserve,” said Alvarado. “Fight in our enemy’s turf, we will never let this fight be decided by the judges.”
The 26-year-old Petalcorin meanwhile, is vying for a world title for the very first time and holds a record of 29-2-1, with 22 KOs.
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