Altar boy warms up in Laoag tonite

MANILA, Philippines - WBC No. 1 superflyweight contender Silvester Lopez of Zamboanga Sibugay warms up for his upcoming world title shot by taking on Chatpayak Sitnarits of Thailand in a 10-round bout headlining an eight-fight card promoted by Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde in coordination with Gov. Imee Marcos at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City tonight.

Elorde said Lopez isn’t taking any chances against Chatpayak and will go for an early knockout. “This is a tune-up bout for Silver but we’re not taking Chatpayak lightly,” said Elorde. “I’m attending the WBC convention in Las Vegas next week and I’ll lobby for the WBC champion (Suriyan Sor Rungvisai) to defend the title next against Lopez as the mandatory challenger. Lopez will treat Chatpayak like Suriyan since they’re both Thais.”

Both Lopez and Chatpayak scaled 120 pounds at the weigh-in yesterday morning. Elorde said the fighters agreed to face off beyond the superflyweight limit of 115.

Lopez, 24, is coming off an eighth round stoppage of No. 2 contender Oscar Ibarra to claim the WBC Silver diadem in Queretaro, Mexico, last September. The win earned for Lopez the right to be next in line for a crack at the WBC 115-pound crown. An attempt by Mexican promoter Herminaldo Kuchle to declare it a non-title fight after Lopez’ victory was thwarted as Elorde gained a favorable ruling from WBC president Jose Sulaiman.

“Before the fight, the Mexican promoter announced that it was for the WBC Silver title,” said Elorde. “They even deducted $500 from Silver’s purse to cover the sanction fee. The morning after the fight, WBC supervisor Bob Yalen told me the WBC Silver title was not at stake. Ibarra’s trainer even took the belt away from Silver. Luckily, Don Jose was able to review the facts and upheld Silver’s victory for the WBC Silver title. The WBC sent the belt to Manila a few weeks later.”

Lopez will use the Laoag fight to keep busy as Elorde said the title shot may come early next year. 

“We were informed that former WBC champion Tomas Rojas has an option for Suriyan’s next defense and is pushing to challenge for the title in Mexico,” said Elorde. “We want to clarify in the WBC convention who has right to be the next challenger. Our position is Silver is the mandatory challenger and Suriyan is due to defend against the No. 1 contender. The winner of the fight between Suriyan and Silver could face Rojas for the title. But it all depends on how the WBC will rule.”

Last year, Lopez lost to Juan Jose Montes on a sixth round technical decision in Guadalajara in a bout that snapped his 10-fight winning streak. He has since come back to win three in a row, including a first round disposal over Mexican Everando Morales in Zamboanga Sibugay, to raise his record to 17-3-1, with 13 KOs.

One of eight children, Lopez finished high school and decided to forgo college to concentrate on a boxing career. He fought as an amateur in provincial colorum shows then was brought by former pro Celso Danggud to Alabang to join Dante Almario’s stable. Lopez eventually wound up fighting for Elorde. From whatever he earns in the ring, Lopez remits a large part to his father Roseller, a security guard attached to the Vice Mayor’s office, and mother Maura. 

“What I like about Silver is he’s very religious,” said Elorde. “He serves as an acolyte at Mass every morning in St. Rita, the chapel my father (former world junior lightweight champion Flash Elorde) built. He’s dedicated. He never takes off from training so when an opportunity to fight comes, he’s always prepared.”

Lopez, trained by Archiel Villamor and Fernando Lumacad, said he’s focused on his goal of winning a world title. “I’m not afraid of anyone,” he said. “I lost in Mexico last year because I only had a few days to get adjusted to the altitude. Against Ibarra, I was in Mexico for a month so I was well-adjusted. In the fifth round, I was cut by a headbutt and the Mexican doctor wanted to stop it but the American referee (Gerald Ritter) let it go. When I hurt Ibarra with body shots, I went all out for a knockout. The referee stopped it even if Ibarra never went down. I went to the chapel in the stadium to thank God after the fight. Ibarra’s wife and the Mexican fans cursed me for winning. I just prayed to God for all of us.”