Challenger Jorle Estrada logged a total of 12,700 miles just to get here from his hometown in Monteria, Colombia.
After layovers in Bogota, Frankfurt and Hong Kong, Estrada found himself in Manila a few days ago aching to dethrone Filipino defending champion Merlito Sabillo this Saturday night in their World Boxing Organization (WBO) miniflyweight title clash at the Solaire Resort and Casino.
Estrada also issued his bold prediction when he appeared yesterday at the PSA Forum, saying he is out to break the hearts of the Filipinos this weekend.
?I am going to win (by knockout) in seven rounds,? said Estrada, who has fought mostly in Colombia, Mexico and Nicaragua and is making his first trip outside Latin America.
?It doesn?t matter if I am fighting in Colombia or the Philippines,? said the 24-year-old challenger with little help from a translator who was obviously lacking in interpreting skills.
Sabillo (22-0 with 11 knockouts), one of only three reigning Filipino world champions, will be making the first defense of the WBO 105-lb title and is raring to put on a show of force before local fans with a smashing win over Estrada (17-6 with six knockouts).
ALA Promotions is joining hands with ABS-CBN in this event dubbed Pinoy Pride XXI. (Nick Giongco)
