DAVE Apolinario goes to the lion's den as he shoots for a first-ever world championship.
'The Doberman' primes up for his fight against Mexican Angel Ayala as they battle for the vacant IBF flyweight crown on Saturday in Mexico City.
The two made the weight on Friday morning (Manila time) during the official weigh-in at CDMX Mexico.
Apolinario eyes world title
The Filipino underdog, whose body was draped with the Philippine flag during the weigh-in, came in at 111.6 lbs, while the Mexican tipped in at a lighter 110.8 lbs
The 25-year-old Apolinario vowed to go all-out in his crack for a first world title, hoping to join Sanman stablemate Melvin Jerusalem as the reigning Filipino world champions today.
“Isang malaking opportunity sa akin ito kasi world title fight,” said the Filipino southpaw, who only has a week to acclimatize to Mexico’s high altitude.
“Sisiguraduhin ko na gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo,” added Apolinario, who was accompanied by trainer Ronerex Dalut, Sanman promoter JC Mananquil, and manager Mike Pelayo to Mexico.
Jerusalem (WBC mini-flyweight champion) and Pedro Taduran (IBF mini-flyweight title holder) are the country’s two reigning world champions.
Apolinario carries a 20-0 record with 14 KOs and is coming off a sensational fourth-round knockout of Thai prospect Tanes Ongjunta in Japan last February. The Filipino went down in the third round before coming back and finishing the fight at the 1:44 mark of the fourth round.
Ayala, 24, is just as impressive with his 17-0 record including 7 KOs. He won his last fight via unanimous decision against Felix Alvarado of Nicaragua in October last year.
Roberto Ramirez Jr serves as the third man in the ring, while Jesse Reyes, Jerry Martinez, and Daniel Sandoval are the three judges scoring the 12-round bout.
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