Laurente predicts KO win in five

CONFIDENT of his strength and speed despite his advancing age, world-rated Filipino fighter Dennis Laurente takes on a younger foe in the “Philippine vs Thailand: War at the Casino” card this Saturday at Midas Hotel and Casino tent in Pasay.

The 36-year-old Laurente tries to win the World Boxing Council Asia junior middleweight crown against Manopnoi Singmanssak, the Thai prizefighter who owns a 15-6 (6 KO) fight record.

“I hope to get him in five rounds,” Laurente (36-3-5 with 18 KOs), the reigning Philippine junior middleweight king, said in Filipino.

“Nothing has changed, I still have the same strength and speed.”

The event presented by promoters Johnny and Liza Elorde also features their sons Juan Martin and Juan Miguel as well as WBC No. 6 challenger Jonathan Taconing against Thais.

“Dennis is going up against a tough boxer who’s younger, so he has to double his effort,” said Liza Elorde at the PSA Forum yesterday at Shakey’s Malate. “All the Thais are tough because most of them are muay thai fighters.”

Taconing battles Rambo Sithsaithong over 10 rounds at 110 lb., Juan Martin takes on Rajakru Rungwatana over 10 rounds at 133 lb, while younger brother Juan Miguel goes up against Pinsanuthep Kiatchaiyong over eight rounds at 124 lb.

“People have high expectations, but we’re just doing our best in training,” said Juan Miguel, the grandson of legendary Filipino boxer Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.

The elder Elordes said if Laurente wins, he might also get a shot at the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Brandon Rios this November in Macau.