John Mark Apolinario made the 118 pound weight limit and feels good about his chances against reigning WBA bantamweight
champion Koki Kameda in Tokyo on Tuesday evening.
Both well-known promoter Sammy Gello-ani and Apolinario's manager Dr. Rajan Yraola told the Manila Standard in an overseas
telephone conversation from Japan that although the Filipino challenger doesn't have a big punch as evidenced by his record of
17-2-3 with only 4 knockouts he's been able to slowly develop some power.
Gellon-ani told us that while A polinario may be short on power he has an "excellent jab, good footwork and puts combinations
together" and is perfectly capable of winning a twelve round decision.
He said Apolinario who tipped the scales at the bantamweight limit of 118 pounds just like Kameda "is in tip-top condition and feeling good" while Dr. Yraola said "we have a game-plan on how to beat Kameda" who has an impressive record of 30-1 with 17 knockouts.
Gello-ani said the 26 year old southpaw Kameda did his own marketing at the weigh in and added some humor when he walked in with an ice cream cone in a gimmick since Apolinario is nicknamed "The Iceman" and indicated the challenger is going to melt in the ring.
Yraola told us that Apolinario who is trained by Jun Agrabio had ?developed a little power? and this was evident when he sparred with Joebert Alvarez and Marvin Mabait among others during seven weeks of training.
Apolinario who was unlucky to draw two fights in a row against Robrto ?The Spider? Vasquez the former world flyweight champion in a battle for the Interim bantamweight title is hoping to win another world title for the Philippines.
Photo: WBA bantamweight champion Koki Kameda (L) of Japan and challenger John Mark Apolinario (R) of the Philippines.
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