Filipino fight fans will get to see for themselves how good really is the undefeated WBA super-featherweight king Edwin Valero as Solar Sports will air live his May 3 title defense against Japanese Nobuhito Honmo at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan.
Rex ‘Wakee’ Salud, a close associate of superstar Manny Pacquiao, revealed in an exclusive interview in Osaka, Japan yesterday that Solar will air the fight live in the Philippines, including the two other world title bouts on the card.
‘The Filipino fans are still not familiar with Valero, who is being groomed to face Pacman down the line. On May 3, that curiosity will be answered with the live airing of Valero’s fight,’ said Salud, who said that the Venezuelan puncher is up against a solid fighter who once beat Jimrex Jaca, a protege of Salud.
The Japan-based Valero, who is being promoted by Asia’s leading promoter Akihiko Honda, is a heavy favorite going into the fight, although some pundits maintain that Honmo might pose a real problem due to his sterling defensive abilities.
Valero (21-0, 21 KO’s) will put all the marbles against Honmo (29-4-2, 5 KO’s) in what is shaping up to be a major test for the Venezuelan.
‘I’m in favor of Valero to win that fight. He is such a sharp-shooter, which reminds me of my old protege Ala Villamor during his heydays. He can move, and he can connect,’ said trainer Juanito Ablaca, who had an up close experience with Valero when his protege Randy Suico was tabbed to spar with the Venezuelan dynamite.
The other two world title bouts on the May 3 card pit WBC bantam king Hozumi Hasegawa defending his world crown against South African Simpiwe Vetyeka, while WBA superfly king Nobuo Nashiro defends against Venezuelan Alexander Munoz.
The event is promoted by Akihiko Honda’s Teiken Promotions.
