IF negotiations do push through, world title prospect Kenneth Llover will be bound for Kyrgyzstan in October for an International Boxing Federation championship eliminator match.
Promoter Gerry Penalosa said the 22-year-old Llover is now being lined up against Landile Ngxeke of South Africa following his eight round TKO win over former two-time world champion Luis Concepcion of Panama last week.
READ: Llover scores eighth-round TKO against tough Panamanian foe
Llover is being co-promoted by GerryPens Promotions and the Japan-based Kameda Promotions.
“I asked the Kameda Promotions and that’s the plan,” said Penalosa, adding the fight is being penciled for an October 26 schedule.
Kameda Promotions CEO, former world champion Tomoki Kameda, was at ringside when Llover disposed Concepcion at the ballroom of the Winford Resort and Casino last Sunday.
The IBF title belt has been left vacant after Junto Nakatani decided to move up in weight, paving the way for Jose Salas Reyes of Mexico and Riku Masuda of Japan to contest the 118lbs crown.
The winner of the Reyes-Masuda title bout will face the survivor of the Llover-Ngxeke eliminator.
“Let’s see, maybe after 90 days, kung sino yung new champion. If yung boxing body (IBF) mag-mandate (for a title defense), hoping and assuming manalo (si Llover), siya yung magiging mandatory (challenger),” said Penalosa, a two-time world champion during his prime.
“So sana, before the year ends mahabol. Or maybe, early next year.”
Llover improved his record to 15-0 with 10 KOs following the win over the 39-year-old Concepcion.
Although Penalosa remained impressed with the unbeaten Filipino bantamweight, he observed Llover is still wet behind the ears.
“Erratic nga ang dating, parang gustong pumatay ng ahas,” he said of Llover’s performance.
“Maganda kasi yung killer instinct niya nandun. Pero at the same time, ingat din dahil ang kalaban natin ngayon world caliber na. So hindi basta-basta.”
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