DAVAO CITY—Rey Loreto, Edrin Dapudong and Denver Cuello embark on different missions when they tangle with foreign rivals tonight in the triple-header of Boxing Revolution II: Clash of the Little Titans at Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.
Loreto will test his readiness to defend his International Boxing Organization junior flyweight title on Dec. 13 when he battles Indonesian Heri Amol in front of his provincemates.
Dapudong, who hails from North Cotabato, takes a step toward regaining the IBO super flyweight title he lost by controversial split decision to South African Lwandile Sityahta when he battles Thai Wisanlek Sithsaithong.
Sidelined by a rotator cuff injury for 14 months, Cuello (33-5-6, 21 KOs) returns to the ring against Thai Jaipecth Chaiyonggym in a bid to move back into contention in the strawweight division.
Hobbled by the injury, Cuello blew his World Boxing Council title fight against Chinese Xiong Zhaozhong in Dubai last year.
The Filipinos have been tagged as favorites in the card presented by Sonshine Sports Management headed by former North Cotabato governor Manny Piñol with the all-out support of Evangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
The southpaw 23-year-old Loreto holds an 18-win, 13-loss record, including 10 knockouts and enjoys height and reach advantage over the 31-year-old Amol (34-19-4, 14 KOs).
Loreto is scheduled to stake his crown against former titlist Nkosinathi Joyi on Dec. 13 in East London, South Africa.
“I want to bring happiness to my provincemates,” said Loreto, born in Tamayong, Calinan District, during the Davao Sports Association Forum that preceded yesterday’s weigh-in in which all the protagonists made weight.
Dapudong (29-6) also refused to predict a knockout against Sithsaithong, who also expressed confidence in notching his 11th straight win after yielding his first five fights.
According to Piñol, The Clash of the Little Titans is in line with Sonshine Sports and Quiboloy’s vision of bringing world-class boxing to Davao and producing world-beaters.