By Rey Danseco
IBF Pan Pacific lightweight champion Ranee “KO Kid” Ganoy considers himself as a big threat to concensus lightweight champ Juan Diaz.
Ganoy, ranked at 15 by the IBF, will aim to become the fifth Filipino world champion next year after he scored a stunning second round knockout in his rematch with Thai Somchai Nakbalee in Brisbane last Friday.
Ganoy’s victory, his 11th by knockout in 14 outings Down Under, has won over a legion of Aussie fans and supporters, including IBF’s Australian representative Ray Wheatley.
The most recent loss in Australia for the 27-year old native of Norala town in South Cotabato, was a TKO in the fifth round to Michael Katsidis, who he fought on short notice in Aug. 2005.
Wheatley admitted that Ganoy, who is popular in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, is a legitimate threat to the world lightweight title and one of the most dangerous contenders pound for pound after he stopped the best lightweights in Australia.
Ganoy’s Aussie promoter Angelo di Carlo plans to set him up against IBF's number-one ranked lightweight Nate "The Galaxy Warrior" Campbell in his next fight to fast track his position as the next viable contender in the division, which Juan Diaz of the United States rules.
Ganoy trained and was based in Mandaluyong City, Manila in the beginning of his career from year 2000 until he worked out under Nonito Donaire's father/trainer. Nonito Sr., and then left for Australia four years later.
