Former OPBF and RP lightweight champ Dennis Laurente tries his luck in the higher weight division as he vies for the vacant Pan-Asian Boxing Association (PABA) junior welterweight title on February 26 against former titlist Daudy "The Bali Boy" Bahari in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia.
The PABA, which adheres to its rule of stripping champions who lose in non-title fights, had earlier stripped Bahari of the title following the latter's only loss to Japanese Motoki Sasaki in a non-title go in Saitama, Japan last November 26.
Observing fairness, however, the PABA has allowed Bahari a shot at his old title which he had previously defended five times prior to his unexpected Japan loss.
Bahari (27-1-1, 11 KO's) first won the interim PABA title in 2003, and took the regular title on the same year during the WBA's Annual Convention in Bali, Indonesia, defeating Thai Kiatchai 13 Coins in a split decision affair.
The Iloilo-raised Laurente (23-2-5, 12 KO's), fighting out of the Johnny Elorde Stable, had won the OPBF lightweight title in 2001, defended it three times before surrendering it to Japanese Chikashi Inada last year.
The move up in weight has been reportedly long planned for Laurente, who has found it difficult to make the 135-lb lightweight limit.
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