By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super featherweight champion Randy Suico faces the toughest challenge of his career when he battles former IBF lightweight champion Javier Jauregui of Mexico on the undercard of the WBC title defense of super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera against Australia’s IBF champion Robbie “Bomber” Peden on September 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Suico’s manager Joe Koizumi informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today about the ten round bout which Suico’s trainer Juanito Ablaca said as “a big test for Suico” and will show whether he “really has what it takes to become a world champion of the future.” Suico has an impressive record of 23-1 with 20 KO’s but there have been questions about the caliber of his opponents. In his last defense Suico scored a fourth round KO over Thailand’s Muangfahlek Kiatwichean last April 27.
Koizumi has indicated that an impressive showing by the 25 year old Suico against Jauregui will put him in line for a shot at Barrera’s title which is what he lost when he suffered a controversial split decision defeat to South Africa’s Mzonke Fana in May 2003 in Johannesburg. Jauregui has a record of 49-12-2 with 34 KO’s and lost his title to young Julio Diaz by a majority decision on May 13, 2004. Jauregui is coming off a loss to Ricky Quiles in Florida last June 16.
Suico who trains regularly at the famed ALA Gym ofrespected Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer has returned from a recent stint in Japan where Koizumi wanted him to spar with top Japanese fighters. One of Suico’s sparring partners was OPBF lightweight champion Chikashi Inada who retained his title with a split decision over Denis Laurente last March 5.
