Rosales looks to KO Balla in WBA title bout today

Jessie Cris Rosales will dictate the pace, put on the pressure and hopefully land that knockout punch that will put Ibrahim Balla to sleep in their World Boxing Association (WBA) Oceania featherweight title bout today at the Grand Star Receptions in Altona North, Australia.

“Our chance here is to bully him in the ring. We will dictate the fight. The opponent easily gets cut and he’s not a big puncher,” Rosales’ coach Jinggoy Junco told SunStar Cebu. “How can you beat a boxer? Slug him all the way. We will attack until he gets tired.” Rosales is coming off the first loss of his career, a knockout in the hands of decorated Mexican veteran Jhonny Gonzalez in July of last year. He’s eager to put his name back into the winning column.

“I’ll do whatever I can to bounce back,” he said. “There’s a big chance (that I will knock him out) but I won’t take any chances.” The 26-year-old Rosales, who came in as last-minute replacement, tipped the scales at exactly 126 pounds. Ibrahim also weighed-in at the featherweight limit.

Ibrahim suffered his first and only career defeat in 2016. He was stopped by Cebu-based Neil John Tabanao, one of Rosales’ sparring partners, in three rounds.

“I think his chin is weak because he got knocked out by Neil John Tabanao in the third round. Cris must get close and hopefully land a solid shot and knock him out,” said Junco.

The 27-year-old Ibrahim has won four straight since, two of which are decision wins over Filipinos Sylvester Lopez and Vergil Puton.

If this will go to a decision, then I believe we’ll lose. Pacman (Manny Pacquiao) lost here. How much more us? We need a knockout.

JINGGOY JUNCO Rosales’ coach