By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Rex “Wakee” Salud, the manager of Eriberto “Yukka” Gejon expressed confidence yesterday that Gejon will win the WBA minimum weight title when he battles Japan's Yutaka Niida in a rematch at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, today.
A victory by Gejon will give the Philippines a fourth world title which is something the country hasnt enjoyed in ages.
On the eve of his departure for Tokyo, Salud said “I am confident Gejon will win because he has trained much harder than he did the last time” when he dropped a controversial ten round decision to Niida on eptember 25, 2005. Even Filipino ring idol anny Pacquiao who was at ringside said he thought Gejon deserved to win.
Salud who was at his RWS Gym watching Filipino ring idols Manny Pacquiao train said Gejon, the lanky minimum weight with a height and reach advantage over his opponent was in good shape and he was hoping he could add to the titles currently held by IBF minimum weight champion Florante Condes, IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire and WBC bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa.
Niida who has a record of 21-1-3 with 8 knockouts is coming off successful defenses against Ronald Barrera on March 4, 2006 when he won by a unanimous twelve round decision and a split decision victory over fellow apanese Katsunori Takayama last April 7.
Since the first clash with Niida, Gejon has scored a second round TKO against Thailand's Yoddoi Sithsoei on September 22, 2006 and Wisan Sor Suchanya over whom he won a unanimous ten round decision on March 3 this year.
