By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes (26-6-2, 6 KO’s) may soon earn a title shot at the WBC crown currently held by Thai veteran Pongsaklek Wonjongkam or at the very least figure in a title eliminator.
World Boxing Council president Don Jose Sulainan told us that he had received several reports informing him that Fuentes’ first title defense against power-punching Japanese challenger Shigetaka Ikehara (20-2-2, 16 KO’s) was a terrific, action-packed fight and indicated “I am sure the fight fans enjoyed it.”
The many media reports which even indicated that the Fuentes-Ikehara title fight may well be named Japan’s “Fight of the Year” have reached Sulaiman who was clearly very pleased that the boxing fans had a fight they thoroughly enjoyed.
Fuentes is currently ranked No. 9 by the WBC. With his impressive 11th round TKO victory when Ikehara’s corner threw in the towel as their fighter was groggy and exhausted and no longer able to withstand the aggressive, he is certain to move up in the rankings , according to Sulaiman.
The WBC president who heads the leading world professional organization in boxing said he would look at the possibility of getting Fuentes a title fight or even a title eliminator in the near future.
Filipino judge Ed Ligas who was at the fight praised Fuentes for a “stunning performance” and pointed out he had a “striong chin, hits hard, has superior skills and a big heart. He has all the tools to be a world champion.”
