For some time now, local fight fans have been monitoring the developments in the super flyweight (115 lbs.) division, what with the strong presence of Filipino fighters in the weight class.
For the last two years, Jerwin Ancajas has been sitting on the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight throne. Three months ago, Ancajas successfully defended the title against countryman Jonas Sultan in only the second all-Filipino world title fight in history. Ancajas has thus far posted five successful defenses of the title.
Don?t look now, but two Filipinos, Donnie Nietes and Aston Palicte, are booked to battle for the World Boxing Organization?s (WBO) version of the super flyweight title. This Sunday (Manila time), Nietes and Palicte will join other recognizable names in 115-pound division who will see action in the third installment of the popular ?SuperFly? series at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
The main event in SuperFly 3 will have Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico facing countryman Felipe Orucuta in a 12-round, non-title bout. Estrada (36-3, 25 knockouts), a former unified flyweight (112 lbs.) champion, is ranked No. 1 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) in the super flyweight division and is looking to get past the hard-hitting Orucuta (36-4, 30 knockouts) to earn a rematch with WBC champ Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand. On February 24, in SuperFly 2, Estrada?s 10-fight winning streak came to an end when he dropped a close decision to Rungvisai. The original plan was for the two to hook up anew in SuperFly 3, but Rungvisai instead accepted an October title defense against Iran Diaz.
Orphaned at the age of 7, Estrada took up boxing at age 9 and has emerged as the consummate ring tactician, one who can do a little bit of everything in the ring. Estrada has beaten several Filipino fighters, notably Brian Viloria and Milan Melindo. Estrada moved up to 115 pounds in 2016 and was 3-0 as a super flyweight before losing to Rungvisai. Despite the loss, Estrada arguably remains the most skilled contender in the weight class.
The Nietes-Palicte fight will serve as the co-main event, but make no mistake it also has the trimmings of a slam-bang affair.
Nietes (41-1, 23 knockouts) is gunning for his 4th division title after enjoying reigns in the minimumweight (105 lbs.), light flyweight (108 lbs.) and flyweight divisions (112 lbs.). If Nietes prevails, he will join Nonito Donaire Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in the elite list of Filipino fighters who have won at least four regular division crowns.
Nietes is already 36 years old and will be making only his debut appearance at super flyweight, but it appears he has not lost a step. On February 24, Nietes took part in SuperFly 2 and defended his IBF flyweight crown with a smashing 7th round knockout of Juan Carlos Reveco. The win earned Nietes a ticket to SuperFly 3, only this time he will be reporting for battle as a full-blown super flyweight.
?Hindi naman maapektuhan ang conditioning ko at 115 pounds,? Nietes told this writer. ?Pinaghandaan namin ang 115 na timbang. Comfortable ang katawan ko ngayon sa 115 pounds.?
The tall (5?7?) and lanky Palicte, 24-2 with 20 knockouts, is a legitimate super flyweight and brings a lot of firepower with his vaunted right straight. Palicte lacks Nietes? experience and defensive savvy, but just the same he is oozing with confidence as he takes part in his first world title fight.
?Aston is ready for the fight,? mused Palicte?s trainer, former WBC light flyweight king Rodel Mayol. ?Sa totoo lang, hindi pa naman talaga alam kung sino ang mananalo, pero malakas ang kumpiyansa ko na mananalo si Aston kasi nakikita ko ang conditioning nya at malakas at matangkad siya (kumpara kay Nietes).? Mayol further noted that Nietes is not that fast at 115 pounds.
Estrada-Orucuta and Nietes-Palicte are expected to highlight once more the competitiveness of the fighters in the lower weight divisions. Completing the list of notable fights in the card is a 10-round fight between former three-division champ Kazuto Ioka of Japan and McWilliams Arroyo of Puerto Rico. Ioka (22-1, 13 knockouts) is coming off a brief retirement while Arroyo (17-3, 14 knockouts) earned a spot at SuperFly 3 after scoring an upset victory over Mexican Carlos Cuadras in February.
