Cocksure foreign fighters vow KOs over Filipino opponents

FOREIGN fighters Miguel Antoine and Daniel Ruiz vowed to knock out their respective Filipino foes in the supporting bouts of the WBO bantamweight title clash between AJ “Bazooka” Banal and Thai Pungluang Sor Singyu Saturday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

Antoine said he wants to eventually challenge Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao. The boxer from Barbados battles Jason Pagara for the WBO International light welterweight title.

“We don’t expect to go 12 rounds,” said the 24-year-old Antoine, nicknamed “Hands of Stone,” as he appeared in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate together with trainer Samuel Gregory Layne. “After this, we will look forward to a fight with Mr. Manny Pacquiao.

“I don’t think Pagara has met a fighter like me,” added Antoine, who is unbeaten in 17 fights with nine KOs.

Pagara has a 29-2 record with 18 KOs.

Ruiz also promised to win via the short route over Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista when they dispute the WBO International featherweight championship in the boxing card presented by ALA Promotions, which was represented in the forum by vice president Dennis Canete and executive Chad Canares.

“There would be a knockout and there won’t be a decision,” said Ruiz, a warrior from Los Mochis, Mexico, who holds a 27-5-2 record (19 KOs), through his interpreter and assistant trainer Melencio Ricardo Omar Zamora.

“I trained hard for this Saturday fight.”