NAKATUTOK si Rey “ The Hitman” Loreto, ang 23-year-old talented pug mula Davao City sa vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) light flyweight kontra kay 31-year-old South African Nkosinathi Joyi na tinampukang Monte-Carlo Boxing Bonanza sa Sporting Monte-Carlo ngayong Sabado.
“ He’s proven to be something of an upset king,” sabi ng 37-year-old Brico Santig, matchmaker at promoter sa Philippines na may highest number boxing events last year, kasama na ang exciting boxing cards “King of the Ring” na isinagawa sa different PAGCOR Casino Filipino sa Manila.
“ We are ready for war,” ani ni Baguio native Santig, ang 2013 WBC Asia-Pacific Promoter of the yeaar.
Nagsimula sa edad na 17, si Loreto ay hiniya si world ranked former WBA champion Thai warrior Pornsawan Porpramook via technical decision para sa WBA interim Pan Asian Jr. Flyweight title nitong nakaraang Agosto sa Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand.
Dalawang taon na ang nakalilipas kung saan lumaban siya bilang underdog ay pinatumba ni Loreto si world-rated Wisanu Kokietgym tungo sa Pan Asian Light-Flyweight title.
“The IBO, which is not one of the four most widely recognised international boxing associations, is known for an accommodating approach in sanctioning title fights.”
Ang Joyi-Lorito fight ay undercard ng South African Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves Promotion sa laban nina unbeaten WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin at American-based Ghanaian Osumanu Adama.
Ani naman ni Joyi’s manager Siphatho Handi : “We are not taking the Filipino lightly. Under-estimating an opponent can sometimes boomerang and leave you with egg on your face.” (Marlon Bernardino)