WITH perfect conditioning and over a hundred rounds of sparring in a tough and grinding training regimen, Filipino world title hopeful Bert Batawang will fly to Guadalajara, Mexico by way of Los Angeles, California on Dec. 3.
?I will try to knock him out, or I?ll go down trying. But I am really confident that I could win this fight and bring honor to the country and my family,? said the 35-year old Batawang during a press conference called by his manager Sammy Gello-ani yesterday at the Cebu Grand Hotel pool side.
Batawang will challenge Mexican champion Ulises Solis for the IBF light-flyweight title at the latter?s hometown in Guadalajara, Mexico.
?We signed the contract last Monday and now it?s officially on. Bert is always ready and in perfect shape. This is the accomplishment of what the hardship and frustrations that he went through from the first cancellation of his previous schedules,? Gello-ani said.
Batawang has been preparing for a fight since May and has sparred with various fighters during his trainings.
?At the ALA Gym, Bert has sparred with Louie Bantigue, Rollen del Castillo, Milan Melindo and Mark John Yap, all right-handed. But in LA, he has sparred with Rodel Mayol, a Mexican, a Russian and a Brazilian fighter. He even sparred with bigger fighters there,? said trainer Jeremiah Quijano.
The cancellations and postponements of his fights don?t seem to bother Batawang at all.
?I had no weight problems. Right now I weigh 112lbs. My conditioning is perfect and I am ready to fight anytime of the day because I was focused on this,? said Batawang.
Mayol, who lost to Solis last Aug. 4 by an eighth round TKO, advised him on how to engage Solis, who depends on his killer right.
?Our game plan is to put pressure on Solis. We will be fighting all the time and by the time he will make any mistake, he will regret it,? said Quijano.
Batawang will bring with him a very intimidating 50-6, 34KOs win-loss boxing record while Solis carries a 25-1-2, 19KOs slate.
