JAKARTA — Expect bloodbath when Filipino Benjie Sorolla puts his country’s title drought to an end today as he challenges International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight kingpin Muhammad Rachman at the 5,000-capacity Tennis Indoor Senayan Stadium here in Indonesia.
It will be a vastly different Sorolla who will face Rachman, according to the Filipino, as compared to the one who showed up in 2002 only to loss to the Indo fighter via unanimous decision.
“I’m different now. In the first fight, I was informed on short notice. And he could not even put me away,” said the 25-year-old Sorolla yesterday at the weigh-in.
Sorolla, fighting for a country enamored with superstar Manny Pacquiao, expects very few fans to believe that he has what it takes to cause a major re-alignment of stars, but he will be the least surprised when Rachman ends up on his back as the Filipino claims he is in the best shape of his life for this fight.
“My training has not stopped after my last fight. I only rested for two weeks, then I was back in the gym again. I might end this fight in five rounds,” Sorolla told the media here during a visit to Indonesia’s head of the Olympic committee.
At yesterday’s weigh-in held at the Front Row Sports Grill and supervised by the IBF’s Ray Wheatley, Rachman came in at 104.5 lbs, while Sorolla tipped the scales at 103.5 lbs. The two fighters then gamely obliged media men for interviews and photo sessions.
Some 30 media men came to witness the weigh-in.
Also in attendance were promoter Soeryo Goeritno, his son Andrei, Eddie Phirih, Ebert Hutagalung of the local commission, and local doctors as well as fight officials.
The two fighters also passed a strict medical test early yesterday conducted by the IBF and the local commission.
Another weigh-in is set for the fighters are 9AM today, which rules that each fighter should not weigh more than ten percent of the regulatory weight of 105 lbs, meaning, at no instance should each boxer come in beyond 115.5 lbs.
Rachman (60-5-5, 30 KO’s), who will be celebrating his 34th birthday today, also boldly predicted that the Filipino will get another loss in their rematch, and said that this fight will end in a knockout fashion.
“I respect you, Sorolla, but I will only give you five rounds at most,” said Rachman as interpreted by Tourino Tidar at yesterday’s weigh-in attended by several media men.
Rachman and Sorolla (24-10-3, 8 KO’s) had previously faced each other in 2002, with the Indo fighter winning via unanimous decision. Sorolla, however, said that the loss was due to the short notice given to him for the fight.
For this fight, trainer Rolando ‘Sonny’ Sangalang informed that his ward had logged in 123 rounds of sparring in a span of more than two months. Those who were tapped to spar with Sorolla were former world title contender Juanito Rubillar, Ryan Bito, and Celso Danggod.
“I prepared long and hard for this fight. I know this opportunity does not come everyday. I am here to take your crown away,” Sorolla countered.
Supervising today’s fight is the IBF’s Ray Wheatley, while the third man on the ring is Australian John Wright. Judges for the fight include a Thai, and one each from each fighter’s country.
Promoted by businessman Soeryo Goeritno, today’s event also features in the undercard the following match-ups: Kirno Armase versus Tony Areman; Victor Mausol versus Abi Metyaman; and Wido Paes against Moses Makarawe.
