By Rey Danseco
The Thai promoter of the July 5 bout which features untested lightweight Rodney “Jun” Alba, has agreed to the 1K purse demand of Alba's manager in order to become a “human punching bag” for two-time world champ Sirimongkol Singwancha at Muangthongthanee Stadium in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Gen. Chira Navisathira of the Naris Boxing Promotion has assured Filipino matchmaker Lope “Jun” Sarreal Jr. in an email that he will raise the original offer of $600 for Alba to $1,000.
Contrary to the internet report on Tuesday, the bout will be set according to the fight contract that the Games and Amusement Board had approved last Monday at six rounds (not 10 rounds as reported in the internet) at the weight limit of 137 pounds. It is also the number of rounds allowed, and maximum of eight, for Alba, who has no experience of fighting abroad and has never fought in a 10-round tiff in his 3-year career, according to GAB Boxing Division Chief Noli Flores.
Jaro said his light-punching boxer will be lucky to last three rounds of the bout against the hard-hitting WBC No. 2 Singawancha, who owns the mandatory challenge to the winner of the rematch between the current champion WBC lightweight champ Diego Corrales of the USA and Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico on September 17 in Texas.
The 20-year old Alba, who has a paltry 11-6-2 win-loss-draw record with only two knockouts, is set to fly to Thailand on Saturday along with fellow “patsy” Filipino boxer Jhay Herla and Nonoy Gonzales and trainer-cornerman Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez, the trainer of Manny Pacquiao.
Herla will also serve as tune up foe for WBC No. 3 light flyweight Wandee Singwancha in another 6-round tiff on the undercard. Gonzales takes on WBC No. 36 and reigning WBC Asian Boxing Council (ABCO) superlight king Sataporn Singwancha in the main event.
