JOE Noynay hopes to break into the world ratings and bring himself closer to his goal of a world title shot with a win tonight in his hometown of Bogo City. The 22-year-old Noynay will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific Youth super featherweight title against tough Mexican up-and-comer Hector Garcia in the main event of ?For Pride and Honor? at the Celestino Martinez Sr. Sports and Cultural Complex.
?This fight is a stepping stone for me for bigger fights,? said Noynay.
From obscurity, Noynay popped up in the super featherweight scene after a technical decision upset over previously unbeaten Chinese prospect Jinxiang Pan in China last December. He win the WBO Asia-Pacific Youth and World Boxing Council (WBC) ABC Silver super featherweight belts.
According to WBO Asia-Pacific vice-president Leon Panoncillo, the winner of the fight could break into the top 15 of the WBO super featherweight rankings, where Ukrainian superstar Vasyl Lomachenko is the current champion.
?He won?t last six rounds,? warned Garcia.
The 23-year-old Tijuana native has had an extensive four-month training camp for this fight and sparred against quality partners like former world champion Luis Nery, experienced former world title challenger Hector Velazquez, and up-and-comer Edivaldo Ortega.
Garcia has a sturdy chin and has never been knocked out. He went the distance against former world title contender Juan Carlos Burgos and 19-year-old American prospect Devin Haney.
