Make or break for Barotillo - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

Sydney-based Filipino slugger Arnel Barotillo has fought twice in South Africa and lost both bouts. Tomorrow night, he faces International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior featherweight champion Benedict (Lehlo) Ledwaba in his third match on South African soil. Will it be strike three and out for Barotillo? Or will he finally break the jinx?

For Barotillo, it’s do or die. He’s lucky that he got the title shot against the same man who in August 1998, taught him a neat boxing lesson in pounding out a lopsided 10-round decision. Early last year, it looked like Barotillo’s career had come to an end after he was knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in a brutal fourth round demolition.

But Barotillo courageously picked up the pieces and stormed back to win three straight knockouts even as the quality of his opposition was suspect. His last three victims were Siengbinya Sityassi of Thailand, Warren Stelle of South Africa, and Filipino Andy Alagenio. Sityassi surrendered in 40 seconds. Stelle fell from a glancing left hook and was accused of being a bogus fighter. Alagenio is a worn-out trialhorse who was decked twice by Barotillo before he was rescued in the third round.

Barotillo, 25, is the IBF’s No. 8 contender. He holds the IBF Intercontinental 122-pound title — the ticket that paved the way for his shot at Ledwaba’s belt.

Another Pacquiao victim, Nedal Hussein, was in line as Ledwaba’s next challenger. Hussein, however, decided to take on a lesser foe, Delroy Pryce, in England instead. The dirty-fighting, lily-livered Hussein stopped Pryce in three last Jan. 27 in his first fight since bowing to Pacquiao. With Hussein out of the picture, Barotillo filled in.

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Barotillo’s chances of wresting the crown from Ledwaba hinge on his power. Ledwaba is a shifty stylist who makes good use of the ring to stay away from a slugger like Barotillo. If Barotillo can cut the ring off on Ledwaba and force a toe-to-toe brawl, the probability is he’ll win. But if Ledwaba executes his stick-and-run routine to perfection, Barotillo is a goner.

"What makes Ledwaba impressive to watch is his thoughtfulness — the way he breaks down an opponent patiently," observed Claude Abrams, editor of the London weekly trade paper Boxing News. Ledwaba’s skills are clinical. He’s got all the tools of a complete fighter. He can punch with pinpoint precision and he’s difficult to hit.

Ledwaba, 29, boasts a 31-1-1 record, with 21 KOs, compared to Barotillo’s 25-10-3, with 18 KOs. Abrams called Ledwaba "a quality act." The fight scholar added, "If you like classy boxing and admire a superb tactician with power, Ledwaba is your man."

The South African turned pro in 1990 — a year before Barotillo — and has lost only to compatriot Joseph Ramaswe in Johannesburg nearly eight years ago. He’s known as the second coming of legendary Azumah Nelson, the Ghanaian "Professor." Ledwaba was recently voted South Africa’s Boxer of the Year.

Ledwaba captured the vacant IBF title on a decision over John Johnson in May 1999 and has since repulsed three challengers — Edison Valencia (KO5), Ernesto Gray (KO9) and Eduardo Alvarez (KO8).

Barotillo was born to poor parents in a Catanduanes fishing village in 1974. He was only 10 when his father died. Barotillo dropped out of school a year later and found refuge from streetfights in the gym. He won his first fiesta fight at 13 then turned pro at 16.

Barotillo had a rocky start as a prizefighter. In only his fifth pro fight, he went to Indonesia and was stopped by veteran Jack Siahaya in five rounds. Clearly, Barotillo wasn’t ready for a foreign assignment — he was too raw, too inexperienced. After suffering back-to-back losses to Young Elmer and Eric Chavez in 1992, Barotillo decided to take a break from boxing.

Former Australian rugby player Mark Pitts, who set up a gym in San Andres, saw potential in Barotillo despite his losses and offered to bring him to Sydney. In 1993, Barotillo moved to Australia under Pitts’ care and began a new chapter in his boxing career.

Barotillo is now married to a Sydney girl and aside from the IBF Intercontinental crown, holds the Australian superbantamweight title. While he’s become a fair dinkum Aussie — he enjoys watching rugby and cricket. Barotillo hasn’t forgotten his roots. When he fights, his trunks display the Australian and Philippine flags.

Barotillo, whose favorite fighter is Muhammad Ali and most admired person is the late Princess Diana, has long dreamed of winning a world title and avenging his 1998 loss to Ledwaba. He’ll kill two birds with one stone if he beats the South African tomorrow.

In the undercard of the Ledwaba-Barotillo mainer, Fil-Australian Todd Makelin — another Pacquiao victim — battles pint-sized Jake Matlala for the vacant World Boxing Union lightflyweight title.