| Filipino
Boxers Barotillo
fights for world crown
By JAIME K
PIMENTEL
Sydney, Australia --- ARNEL Barotillo, who gained Australian citizenship last
December, fights for the IBF world light-featherweight title on Saturday, February 17.
Barotillo takes on world champion Benedict Lehlohonolo
Ledwaba, of South Africa, in Johannesburg.
It will be Barotillo’s second crack at Ledwaba’s
crown.
The Filipino-Australian dropped a decision against the
South African last year.
Trainer Mark Pitts said it will be an entirely different
story this time.
"Arnel is better prepared, much stronger and more
determined," Pitts said.
"He wants that title badly."
Barotillo successfully defended his IBF Pacific
super-bantamweight belt last December against the Philippines’ champion Anderson
Alagenio.
Although a bit rusty, the Sydneysider blasted the
challenger into submission.
Barotillo had Alagenio on the canvass three times.
A barrage in the fourth round left Alagenio sagging on the
lower rope, and his corner called for a stoppage.
It was a wild brawl the Australian crowd did not expect
from two Filipinos, although Barotillo was fighting as an Australian citizen for the very
first time.
The champion went after the challenger from the opening
bell.
Alagenio proved a tough customer who would not fold easily.
He matched Barotillo’s bombs with skilful
counter-punching, and on several occasions had Barotillo off balance.
In the second round, Alagenio’s opened a cut over
Barotillo’s left eyebrow.
There was some concern in the champion’s corner that
the ring doctor might stop the match.
But after a brief examination, the doctor allowed the bout
to continue, prompting Barotillo to press on Alagenio even harder.
The end came quickly in round four.
Ledwaba’s last defence was a knockout win over Eduardo
Alvarez, in Kent, England, on October 1, 2000.
The world champion’s record now stands at 31 wins, one
loss and one draw.
Ledwaba won 21 by knockout.
Barotillo leaves for Johannesburg on Saturday, January 13.
11 January 2001
 Jaime K. Pimentel is
a Sydney-based journalist and sub-editor with Fairfax Ltd. He has a bachelor's degree in
Journalism from Ateneo and a master's degree in Advertising and Newspaper Management from
Northwestern University (Chicago). He was previously a lecturer in Journalism at San Beda
and UST. Jimmy is also a scriptwriter and producer of Dramatic Philippines.
He loves and practices the sports he writes about. He was a boxing gold medallist during
his Ateneo days, an official of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines as a
referee and judge, and an Ateneo instructor in P.E. (boxing and swimming). In Australia,
he was also an amateur boxing referee. emanila team |
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