Fuentes faces tall order in WBC title shot today

CEBU, Philippines -  ALA Boxing Gym standout Rocky "The Road Warrior" Fuentes (35-7, 20KOs) hopes to make some fireworks on the eve of the highly-anticipated Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri showdown as he challenges the undefeated Nicaraguan champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzales (40-0, 34KOs) for the WBC flyweight crown today in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.

This is Fuentes’ second world title shot after falling short against Thai Amnat Ruenroeng by unanimous decision in their IBF flyweight championship last January 22 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The 28-year-old Fuentes knows that the odds are stuck against him, but he has full confidence on his chances of stunning the notorious Nicaraguan knockout artist.

“I know that I am the underdog, but I have faith in God and my skills,” said the pride of Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City. “Unlike my fight with the Thai [Ruenroeng], Gonzales’ style is fit for me because he wants to brawl inside, which I think is favorable for me.”

      ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor, who accompanied Fuentes in Japan, believed that his ward poses a great threat to Gonzales and an upset is a big possibility as Fuentes is hungry to be a world champion.

“Rocky trained hard for this, he is the most experienced fighter in ALA Gym and I have faith in his. Styles make fight and it could be the key,” said the celebrated Cebuano strategist.

Villamor said the other good thing is that Fuentes treats Japan as his second home having been undefeated in the said country where he gained popularity being the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation 112-pound titlist. (FREEMAN)