Silvestre to defend PH lightfly crown
ORLIE “D’ Kalibre” Silvestre of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, is set to defend his Philippine light flyweight title against Arnold “Destroyer” Garde of President Roxas, North Cotabato, on January 29 in Digos City, Davao del Sur.
“I will give my best to defend my belt and I promise to give my opponent a good fight,” said Silvestre in his native tongue.
The 27-year-old Silvestre, who has a ring record of 16 wins, 6 losses, 2 draws and 8 KO wins, is confident he can beat the 31-year-old Garde, but would not promise that he will win by knockout.
“He is also a veteran fighter. I will not take him for granted,” said Silvestre, who is currently sparring with unbeaten John Paul Tabanao and Ariel Antimaro to prepare himself against Garde.
Garde, meanwhile, enters the bout with a 10-11-3 and 4 KOs record. He lost in his last fight against Christian Araneta on Oct. 22, 2021 in Mandaue City.
Silvestre, on the other hand, scored a unanimous decision win against Bonjun Loperez of Davao City on Feb. 27, 2021 in General Santos City.
The Silvestre-Garde fight will be the main supporting bout to the much-awaited rematch between International Boxing Federation (IBF) World minimumweight champion Rene Mark “Mighty Mouse” Cuarto (19-2-2, 11 KOs) of Zamboanga and Pedro “Kid Pedro Heneral” Taduran (14-3-1, 11 KOs) of Albay.
Cuarto scored a unanimous decision victory over Taduran last February 27 in General Santos City to capture the IBF crown.