Another chance for Lopez

MANILA, Philippines - Zamboanga Sabugay fighter Silvester Lopez will try to follow in newly crowned IBO superflyweight champion Edrin Dapudong’s footsteps as he battles Thabo Sonjica for the vacant IBO superbantamweight crown in East London, South Africa, on July 6.

For Lopez, it’s his second chance to capture a world title. In July last year, the altar boy blew his first bid in losing a unanimous 12-round decision to WBC superflyweight champion Yota Sato in Kanezawa, Japan. Although he’s coming off a loss on points to Mexico’s Adrian Young in Zitacuaro last May 18, Lopez is determined to make good on what could be his final attempt to ascend the throne.

Lopez’ manager Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde Jr. said yesterday he’s confident of victory. “Silver is training hard,” said Elorde. “His weight is steady at 126 pounds, four over the superbantamweight limit of 122. He won’t find it difficult to make weight so he’s relaxed in the gym, eating healthy and keeping in shape.”

Elorde and trainers Archiel Villamor and Tiger Ari will accompany Lopez to South Africa where only five days ago, Dapudong became the first Filipino to win a world title bout in the country by knocking out Gideon Buthelezi at 2:29 of the opening round. Before Dapudong’s feat, Filipinos lost in 24 consecutive world title fights in South Africa dating back to 1994 when Jake Matlala outpointed Pretty Boy Lucas in a WBO flyweight championship match.

“We were excited to hear about Dapudong’s win,” said Elorde. “We finally broke the jinx. I told Silver that he can do what Dapudong did, that South Africans aren’t unbeatable in South Africa. We don’t know much about Thabo only that he’s a southpaw and he’s about 5-8 or 5-9. There are no videos available of his fights. In the gym, Silver is sparring with tall left-handers to prepare for Thabo. This is Silver’s dream, to become a world champion. He didn’t make it the first time. I thought he was drained from making the weight. Now, he’s comfortable at the superbantamweight division.”

Lopez, 25, bounced back from the Sato defeat to figure in a second round technical draw with Jhunnel Ramonal and thrash Danilo Peña on points for the vacant WBC Asia Boxing Council Continental superbantamweight crown. Then came the shock setback to Young. Elorde complained that Young didn’t make the weight but the fight went on anyway. In the first round, Lopez missed a haymaker, lost his balance, slipped to the canvas and took a mandatory eight-count. The knockdown was undeserved but it meant a 10-8 round for Young who went on to win on scores of 95-92 twice and 97-92.

“The Mexican promoter provided only two plane tickets so only Silver and Archiel flew out,” said Elorde. “If I were at the fight, I would’ve protested the knockdown. Luckily, we still got the title shot for Silver even if he lost to Young.”

Sonjica has won five of his last six and boasts a 17-2 record, with 12 KOs, compared to Lopez’ 20-5-2, with 15 KOs. The South African has lost to only Macbute Sinyabi twice, both by knockout in the first and fifth rounds. But last March, Sonjica avenged the setbacks by decisioning Sinyabi for the South African superbantamweight diadem. Two years ago, Sonjica knocked out Filipino Ariel Delgado in two rounds.

Elorde said Ari, a former Oriental superfeatherweight champion, has taken over training Lopez in Villamor’s absence. Villamor is now in Mexico with Albay prospect Jaderes Padua who will take on former world flyweight, superflyweight and bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel for the vacant WBC International superbantamweight crown this Saturday. Padua, 22, has a record of 8-2-1, with 5 KOs, while Montiel, 34, is 49-4-2, with 37 KOs. Padua is coming off a sixth round knockout loss to Mexico’s Tomas Rojas in Hidalgo and will likely be cannon fodder for Montiel.  

“Tiger is excited to go back to South Africa,” said Elorde. “He has revenge in mind.” In 2002, Ari was stopped by South African Cassius Baloyi in the sixth round of an IBO superfeatherweight title fight in Brakpan. Dayer Gabutan was the most recent Filipino to lose a world title bout in South Africa – he was outpointed by Vusi Malinga in an IBF bantamweight championship fight in Johannesburg last March. Among the Filipinos repulsed in world title matches in South Africa were Eric Barcelona thrice, Juanito Rubillar twice, Arnel Barotillo twice, Jesus Salud, Eden Sonsona, Carmelo Caceres, Bong Arlos, Eric Jamili, Renan Trongco, Florante Condes, Michael Landero, Gabriel Pumar, Armand de la Cruz and Wyndel Janiola.

Lopez, an acolyte in the early morning daily Mass at St. Rita Church in Sucat, is one of eight children. He turned pro in 2006 and two years ago, halted No. 1 contender Oscar Ibarra in the eighth round to claim the WBC silver superflyweight title in Queretaro, Mexico. The win over Ibarra took Lopez to No. 1 in the WBC rankings.