JOE Koizumi, the well-known Japanese matchmaker-journalist and manager of former Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation super featherweight champion Randy Suico, said the advantage in height and power gives the Filipino fighter a very good chance of defeating unbeaten Juan Diaz in their World Boxing Association lightweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, Manila time.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Standard Today, Koizumi said Suico was in top shape after yesterday’s light training and is one pound under the lightweight limit of 135 lb.
Koizumi said that Suico worked out in the official ring set up for the fight card after he got permission to use the ring from officials of Golden Boy Promotions.
He said that Suico was mentally ready and was motivated after he saw Diaz for the first time. Koizumi said the champion was small, compared to Suico and didn’t even look to be 5’6”, which gave the lanky Filipino, who stands 5’9” a physical advantage, which he is expected to capitalize on.
However, Koizumi conceded that the 22-year-old, who has a ring record of 29-0 with 14 knockouts, is faster.
In his last fight on April 8, Diaz gave undefeated Jose Miguel Cotto a boxing lesson to win a comfortable 12-round decision.
Suico has looked good in sparring against former International Boxing Federation world champion Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez and World Boxing Council no. 4 Urbano Antillon, whom the Filipino decked in a training session last week.
The first individual to speak at the official press conference, Koizumi said he gave journalists a rundown of Philippine boxing history, beginning with Pancho Villa, Ceferino Garcia, Flash Elorde and Roberto Cruz and was jokingly criticized for talking too much, when Suico was not even in the main event.
