Eric Morel Drops The Ball, Moreno Defends Against Lunas

By Rey Danseco

Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight champion Rolly “Matsushita” Lunas has a chance to bring back the number of Filipino world champions to five.

Lunas told Bagong Tiktik Sports (The Spy Sports) and BoxingScene.com on Sunday (Manila time) that his Japanese manager Naoyuki Kashimi, who was accompanied by his trainer Mack Kurihara, has signed a fight contract that put him in a title crack against WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno on October 30 in Panama City.

Kanazawa-based in Japan for the last two years, and the 24-year old pride of Albay province in the Philippines, revealed that his manager relayed to him the news from Panama City after signing the contract Saturday (Panama time and Sunday across Asia).

“I don’t have the full details of the deal, including the purse,” said Lunas, who calls Matagbac village in Tabaco City as his home.

Lunas, rated No. 6 by WBA and No. 3 by WBC, defended his title for fourth straight time in his last appearance. He beat Thai challenger Kaona Klongpajol with unanimous decision last August 2 in Cebu City, a province of the Philippines.

After taking the crown from Wladimir Sidorenko in May in Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, the 23-year old southpaw from San Miguelito via El Martillo, he retained his title last Sept. 18 with technical decision win in round 7 against Cecilio Santos in his last fight at Centro de Convenciones Figaly in Panama City. His record improved to 23-1-1, 8 KOs.

The world champions from the Philippines have reduced to four after Florante Condes lost his IBF minimumweight title to Raul Garcia in Mexico last June. They are WBC lightweight boss Manny Pacquiao, IBF-IBO flyweight king Nonito Donaire, WBO bantamweight title holder Gerry Penalosa and WBO minimumweight titlist Donnie Nietes.

Earlier, Moreno’s management negotiated with former flyweight champion Eric Morel (39-2, 20 KOs) to get the shot sometime in November, Primera Hora reported.

Despite a tempting offer on the table, as described by Morel’s father, Cirilo Morel, the camps failed to agree on their demand, giving Lunas a chance to get his first world title crack.

Morel now pursues his desire to face Penalosa after losing the opportunities against Moreno.