World-rated Filipino southpaw Randy Petalcorin (21-1-1, 16 KO's) of Davao City will embark in the most thrilling fight of his life when he battles WBC Latino Champ Walter Tello (20-7, 8 KO's) of Panama for the vacant WBA Interim Jr. Flyweight (108 lbs) Title on August 26 in Shanghai, China.
"I'm excited about flying to China to fight the Filipino (Petalcorin). That's why I am training hard here in Panama, doing all that coach Mr. Agrazal asks me to do... and I will not let pass this new chance to become a world champ," said Walter Tello, a Police officer in Panama, currently rated as WBA # 14 in the 105-pound division.
Tello, 27, is fresh from knocking out unheralded compatriot Erick Flores to capture the WBC Latino Title 108 lbs title in Panama.
Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Petalcorin - jointly managed by Australian Peter Maniatis and Gensan promoter Jim Claude Manangquil - comes from scoring an second knock out win over old opponent Thai journeyman Samransak Singmanasak (35-23-1, 23 KO's) last March in Australia.
A reigning PABA Champion, Randy Petalcorin has had a boxing career carefully planned for him since his debut in 2009, only his controversial disqualification win over veteran Michael Rodriguez in Cebu in 2011 casts doubts in fans over Petacorin's heart to stand up from the canvas and continue a fight.
The Petalcorin vs Tello rumble for the WBA interim belt will be the first time that a Filipino and a Panamanian combat for a world title in mainland China, a fact that highlights the ever growing interest of the People's Republic in international championship boxing.
Six more international bouts complete the card in Shanghai, a production of Chinese promoter Li Sheng of Seca Limited.
Photo: Davao's Randy Petalcorin (L) and Panama's Walter Tello (R) will clash for the vacant Interim WBA Flyweight Title.
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