Philippines, 29 Mar 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Nothing's impossible, says Elorde


PhilBoxing.com



Juan Miguel Elorde with parents Johnny and Liza.

It?s a tall order facing Juan Miguel Elorde who challenges highly-favored WBO superbantamweight champion Emmanuel Navarrete of Mexico in a scheduled 12-round bout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sept. 14 but the No. 2 contender couldn?t care less about the odds. What he knows is the fight is a chance of a lifetime and nothing?s impossible.

Elorde, 32, was offered the title crack last week and readily accepted. He was booked to stake his WBO Asia Pacific crown against Japan?s Daisuke Sugita on Sept. 21 so training has been on track. His father and trainer Johnny said it?s destiny that the fight is happening, considering the No. 1 contender Marlon Tapales and No. 3 contender Albert Pagara are both Filipinos.

His mother Liza said MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons phoned early morning last week to deliver the news. ?I couldn?t believe it at first,? she said. ?It was 5 a.m. and Sean confirmed the fight. We?re thankful to Sen. Manny (Pacquiao), Sean and the WBO for giving Mig this opportunity. Mig has already been sparring to prepare for Sugita so this means just a one week advance of his fight. Mig doesn?t miss a day in the gym. Even if he has no scheduled fight, he?s in the gym every day.?

Elorde said he?s excited to perform at the big stage. But it?s not his first fight in Las Vegas. In 2011, Elorde lost a four-rounder to tough Texan Jerry Guevara at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. That remains the only stain in his record of 28-1, with 15 KOs. ?Tinakbuhan ako,? recalled Elorde. ?Nanibago at nanggigil ako. But I learned from that lesson. Hindi na ako natalo since then.? Johnny said he couldn?t believe how two of the three judges scored it a shutout, particularly as in one round, Elorde dislodged Guevara?s mouthpiece with a big punch.

There are stark similarities between the fighters. Like Elorde, Navarrete has a 28-1 record but with more knockouts, 24. They?re both lanky----Elorde is 5-8 and Navarrete, 5-7. The difference is the age as Navarrete, 24, is eight years younger.

Elorde said in social media, haters aren?t giving him a chance. ?Mismatch daw,? he said. ?I don?t mind the comments. All I know is I?m training the best I can. I?m out to win. I?m not thinking of losing. Navarrete?s not a one-punch knockout artist. He wears down his opponents until they?re low-bat and ready to go. I?ll be prepared for 12 rounds if ever. He?s a volume puncher with a good right uppercut and a good left jab. I?ll counter and make it a tactical fight. I know I have to be active because Navarrete is very aggressive. Matibay si Navarrete, nakakatanggap but galing lang siya sa laban last week kaya baka hindi pa nakaka-recover ang katawan niya. Maybe burn-out na siya paglaban namin kasi it?s already scheduled next month.?

Johnny said Navarrete fights like former WBF minimumweight champion Ronnie Magramo, the only world champion he?s produced so far. ?Sasagasaan ka ni Navarrete,? he said. ?Susundan ka kahit saan ka pumunta. Alam ni Mig kung anong gagawin niya. Counter, kaunting distansya, jab, combinations, bira sa katawan.?

Elorde plans to land in Los Angeles on Sept. 2 or 3, continue his training, possibly at Marvin Somodio?s Combinations Boxing Academy then arrive in Las Vegas on Sept. 7 or a week before the fight. He?ll be accompanied by chief trainer Toto Laurente. Elorde said making weight won?t be a problem. He?s now walking around at 133 and trimming down to 122 shouldn?t be difficult.

Elorde said he?s never been floored and his hardest fight was his 12-round win by decision over Japan?s Shohei Kawashima at the Okada Hotel last March. ?Hindi consistent ang atake ko kay Kawashima kasi na-injure ang kamay ko but tinyaga ko lang,? he said. ?No excuses. Dapat more aggressive ako at maraming suntok. ?Yan ang gagawin ko kay Navarrete.?

Elorde said he?s drawing inspiration from his late grandfather Gabriel (Flash) Elorde who reigned as world superfeatherweight champion for seven years up to 1967. He plans to watch his grandfather?s biggest fights on video, put himself in his shoes and bring his spirit into the ring against Navarrete.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Wild, Wild Western Conference
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez-Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle Doubleheader Set for Friday
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM BIG TIME BOXING USA IN DETROIT
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Undefeated Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes to Attend Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson Fight Eyes Potential Showdown with Winner
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PACE to host FIDE chess tilt this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Preserving a Legacy: The Birth of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Garcia vs Haney: Boxing Match or A Live Mental Break Down?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Christian Mbilli-Mark Heffron Super Middleweight Main Event & Arslanbek Makhmudov-Junior Fa Heavyweight Battle Set for May 25 at Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan, Canada
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • MATÍAS MAKES HOMECOMING DEFENSE AGAINST PARO ON JUNE 15
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • ‘ROCKY’ HERNANDEZ RETURNS AGAINST LUGO IN MEXICO ON MAY 11
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PCAP: Cavite eyeing to bounce back
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • HALL OF FAMER ANN WOLFE TO ATTEND 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Gathering of champions
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Filipinos AJ Paciones and Ador Torres Make Weight for Title Fights in Highland Boxing Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Visiting Teams All Won vs Hosts; Boston Finally Loses
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Lukas to face undefeated Jaiklom on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Sulaiman leaves Manila with fond memories
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Montano to Fight for WBO Oriental Welterweight Title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • JOSE RAMIREZ AND VERGIL ORTIZ JR. HOST FRESNO PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Joseph Adorno-Nicholas Walters Weigh-In Results
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Oscar Valdez and Sergio Rodriguez Give Back to Local Phoenix Children Ahead of Friday's ESPN+-Streamed World Title Doubleheader
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • “Granite Chin Box Off” to launch May 11th 4-fighter, 1-night super middleweight tournament
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Starling Castillo Ready For Jesus Saracho After Linking Up With Bob Santos
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Blair "The Flair" Cobbs Joins Forces with Coach Justin Gamber
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Cutiyog sweeps Imus tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.