Iuuwi ko ang IBF light flyweight title -- Alvarado

Nangako si IBF No. 1 Felix Alvarado na patutulugin niya ang makakalaban sa IBF light flyweight championship na si third ranked Randy Petalcorin para maiuwi sa Nicaragua ang world title.

Paglalabanan nina Alvarado at Petalcorin sa Lunes (Oktubre 29) sa Midas Hotel and Casino sa Pasay City ang bakanteng IBF light flyweight title matapos itong bitiwan ni WBA junior flyweight titlist Hekkie Budler ng South Africa na tumangging magdepensa sa Nicaraguan.

Sa panayam, sinabi ni Alvarado na sapat ang kanyang preparasyon para maiuwi ang IBF light flyweight title.

“I’m very well prepared. I’m already way ahead of schedule of making weight for the fight. It’s now just a matter of waiting for the night of the fight to arrive,” ani Alvarado. “I like to think of myself as a fighter who boxes with intelligence and fights at a proper and effective distance. I also like to go toe to toe. More than anything, I pay close attention to the instructions that my corner gives me to carry out.”

Batid ni Alvarado na isa ring knockout artist si Petalcorin na minsan nang naging interim WBA junior flyweight titlist pero makikipagsabayan pa rin siya sa Pinoy boxer.

“He’s a very good fighter. He’s a southpaw who has fought very good fighters as have I. It’ll be a different fight for us both come fight night and may the best man win,” sambit ng Nicaraguan na may bansag na “El Gernelo.

”Mentally I can honestly tell you that I’m not affected. I’m very hungry to become a world champion so the location is not an issue for me. At the same time, I’m very excited about fighting in the country that produced such a boxing legend as Manny Pacquiao.”

Ngunit, kailangan talagang patulugin ni Alvarado si Petalcorin kung gusto niyang maiuwi ang IBF title sa kanyang bansa.

“I’m physically and mentally prepared to go 12 hard rounds, if necessary. Let’s just say I’d much rather win this fight by knockout than the fight go the full distance,” diin ni Alvarado na gustong sundan ang yapak ng matalik niyang kaibigan na si WBC flyweight champion Cristofer Rosales. “Cristofer and I grew up together. I’m very proud of his accomplishment. It definitely inspires me and has me even more motivated to accomplish my goal of becoming a world champion.”

May rekord si Alvarado na 33 panalo, 2 talo na may 29 pagwawagi sa knockouts kumpara kay Petalcorin na may 29-2-1 win-loss-draw na may 22 pagwawagi sa knockouts.