FILIPINO Kenneth Llover braces for a war against Keita Kurihara when the two clash for the Orient Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight crown next week at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
The undefeated southpaw expects nothing but a brawl in their 12-round fight on March 25.
“Pinag-handaan namin kasi di rin basta-basta si Keita na kalaban. Talagang yung training namin, pinag-handaan namin. Kumbaga sa giyera, nag-imbak ako ng bala pagdating ng early rounds kasi inaabangan kong i-brawl niya ako, kasi yun talaga ang laro niya, kaya alam kong dun niya dadalhin,” Llover said on a special presser on Monday just days before his team leaves for Japan.
“Kahit magka-ubusan kami ng hangin, talagang magka-kasimutan kami.”
Llover sports a perfect 13-0 record with 8 KOs and is coming off a first round destruction of Tulio Dekanarudo in his first bout in Japan last December.
Llover’s manager, former two-time world champion Gerry Penalosa believes the Filipino will bring the same mindset going to the fight against the 32-year-old Kurihara (19-8, 16 KOs).
“Mahirap magsalita. But knowing me, segurista ako. Tinanggap natin yung offer. I’m confident tayo ang mananalo. Not only na manalo lang, but impressively,” said Penalosa.
Llover has all the potential
Both Llover and Penalosa were joined by Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy and promoiter Elmer Alunan of Titleholder during the presser held at the original Max's Restaurant branch in Scout Tuason.
The partnership of Sy and Anuran once helped the great Manny Pacquiao while he was still trying to make a name for himself in boxing, and both admitted they are now doing the same thing to Llover as they believe he has the makings to become a future world champion.
“I see him like the way Manny fights. He’s a southpaw. And the way I see Kenneth, he’s more advanced (in boxing) than Manny when he (Pacquiao) was just starting. He doesn’t give you open shots like Manny before,” Sy said.
“So I’m very optimistic and confident that he can be at par with Manny Pacquiao or even better.”
Added Anuran: “Lahat ng hinahanap namin sa isang future champion ay nakikita namin kay Kenneth.”
The team of Llover will leave for Tokyo two days before the bout, unmindful of the current cold weather in the Japanese capital.
“Hindi naman big deal sa akin yung (climate) sa Japan,” said the Filipino fighter. “Mas gusto ko pang lumaban sa malamig na lugar kasi kumbaga hindi ako gaanong mapapagod.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
