ROCKY Fuentes will defend his status as one of the elite boxers of his division as he locks horns with Mexican Javier Franco on March 24 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.
?It should prepare Rocky for a world title shot. Rocky has dominated Asian fighters for a long time. It?s time for everyone to know if he is ready for the next level,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
Although not too many casual boxing fans have heard of his name, Fuentes is one of the promising Filipino warriors who are within an arm?s reach of a world title shot.
?We are hoping he gets an offer by any organization. We are looking at any of the four major organizations,? said Aldeguer.
Fuentes, 32-6-2 with 19 knockouts, is rated No. 3 in the International Boxing Federation, No. 4 in the World Boxing Organization, No. 5 in the World Boxing Association and No. 3 in the World Boxing Council.
Franco, Fuentes? first Mexican opponent, is 19-6-1 with 10 knockouts. He hasn?t faced any notable opponents except for unbeaten upcomer Ivan Morales, the younger brother of Mexican legend Erik Morales. Despite of the level of opposition Franco has faced, Fuentes isn?t taking him lightly.
?I have been preparing hard for this fight. At this stage of my career I cannot take any fighter for granted. I have worked so hard to be where I am now and I am not throwing this away,? said the 26-year-old Cebuano. ?Franco has been very active the past years and we cannot take him for granted. I need to win this because I want to challenge for a world championship. That has always been my motivation.?
Featured in the main event is a 12-round title defense of AJ Banal?s (26-1-1, 19 KOs) World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight belt against Mexican Raul Hidalgo (16-5, 12 KOs).
Also seeing action in the undercard of ?Pinoy Pride 13 ? Road to Glory? are unbeaten promising young pugs Albert Pagara and Arthur Villanueva.
Pagara (10-0, 8 KOs) faces off with Thai Pupha Por Nobnom (10-7-1, 9 KOs), while Villanueva trades leathers with journeyman Rey Migreno (15-18-3, 13 KOs).
