Julaton unfazed by taller Alcanter

MANILA, Philippines –  Ana Julaton knows what she’s getting into, a real tough fight against Francesca Alcanter.

But the 30-year-old Filipina beauty, the reigning WBO super-bantamweight champion, yesterday remained unfazed in her Feb. 25 date with the 36-year-old Latina, probably one of the sexiest female athletes around.

Julaton, who made her pro debut in 2004, has a ring record of 7-2-1, and has won two world titles in the lighter divisions. Alcanter has a record of 18-9-1, half of her victims not lasting the distance.

Alcanter is also a fitness model and spokesperson for a promotional company in the United States, with public relations experience. She’s into mixed martial arts, too, making her a complete package.

Alcanter looks like she can bench-press 300 lb. At 5-foot-5 she’s an inch taller than Julaton, and with her wingspan of 64 inches will enjoy another one-inch advantage.

“It will be a very competitive match,” insisted Julaton, who wore a white tank top, tight jeans, heels, a ready smile and her long, black hair during the press conference in a Quezon City restaurant.

It also served as the launch of Julaton’s tie-up with TV5, which will air her next fight, at the Craneway Pavilion in Point Richmond, California, in the soon-to-be-launched Aksyon TV UHF Channel 41.

Julaton is in the country to promote the fight, and make sure that her countrymen will rally behind her as she tries to keep the title. She’s one of three Pinoy boxing champions, the others being Manny Pacquiao and Donnie Nietes.

“This will be another epic battle between the Filipinos and Latinos. And I heard Francesca hired two training coaches,” said Julaton, who came with her manager, Angelo Reyes (not the former defense secretary).

But numbers, she said, won’t matter because in her corner is Freddie Roach, the top boxing trainer in the world today.

“Her coaches will go up against my coach Freddie Roach. So, we will know who the better student is. Francesca is the bigger fighter. But I will show the world what the ‘Hurricane’ is all about,” said Julaton.

Julaton is not really known for her knockout punch, and said it’s not what she’s really after.

“In boxing, you can’t look for the knockout. But I wouldn’t be surprised if I knock her out,” she said, adding that the only thing she’s concerned about is how to get the win, and keep her 122 lb title.

She gamely fielded questions from seasoned scribes, sports commentators and bloggers, and smiled at some very personal inquiries.

Julaton was asked how she keeps her hair silky and smooth, or if she has plans of getting married soon, or if she has any boyfriend at the moment.

“Ladies don’t tell about their secrets,” she said.