by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Promising southpaw Randy Petalcorin, the reigning Pan Asian Boxing Association light flyweight champion is ready to “surprise Walter  Tello of Panama” when thwey clash for the  WBA Interim title at the new Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai, China on March 26.

 

Petalcorin who is co-managed by well known Australian promoter Peter Maniatis and Jim Manangquil of General Santos City has been training in his hometown after a stint in Australia.

 

Following Team Petalcorin’s arrival in Shangai, his co-managers, well known Aussie boxing promoter Peter Maniatis and Jim Manangquil of General Santos City” told the Manila Standard/Viva Sports who watched Tello’s fight against champion Alberto Rossel of Peru on television that “while we both agree this is the toughest fight of Petalcorin’s  career,we have come up with a secret game-plan we feel will surprise Tello on fight night.”

 

Petalcorin’s town-mate and a hero to millions Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to be at ringside along with WBO light welterweight champion Chris Algieri since Shanghai will be the second stop on a length media tour in China and the US.

 

Maniatis said the training camp of the 22 year old Petalcorin has been “very good and Randy is fit and ready to fight and prepared to go twelve rounds if he has to.”

Petalcorin who has a record of 22-1 with 16 knockouts is expected to have a tough time against the far more  experienced Tello who has a record of 20-7 with 8 knockouts and has fought for three world titles, losing to WBO champion Manual “Chango” Vargas  in 2009, WBA champion Giovanni Segura in 2010 and most recently dropped a close twelve round decision to  WBA champion Alberto Rossel of Peru in 2013.

 

Maniatis said “Randy trained this morning at the gym (of the Shanghai Sheraton” and his weight was 109 pounds eating all the food he likes  and will make weight easily at the Monday afternoon weigh in at the Sheraton.”

 

Australian businessman Sean Buckley, CEO of Ultratune Auto Services Centers in Australia and a sponsor called Petalcorin Saturday morning  “to personally wish Randy all the best for the fight” according to Maniatis.