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By Joaquin Henson
The man who just beat Erik Morales is in Randy Suico’s gunsight. WBC lightweight champion David Diaz is the target and Suico hopes to shoot a bull’s-eye in his second attempt to win a world crown.
There’s no doubt in Joe Koizumi’s mind that sooner or later, Suico will become a world titlist. Koizumi said the other day Suico will be ready for another title shot after three more bouts.
Suico, 28, is in no hurry. He showed patience in dismantling Japanese challenger Koji Samejima’s defense to score an eighth round knockout and retain his OPBF lightweight title at the Mall of Asia parking lot last Saturday. He’ll be just as patient in waiting for a second crack at the throne.
Last year, Suico was a late replacement for Lakva Sim in challenging WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz in Las Vegas. It was his 135-pound debut after a long career as a superfeatherweight and Suico clearly hadn’t adjusted to the move up.
Now, Suico’s comfortable in his new weight division where his power is as potent as it was when he fought in the 130-pound ranks.
Suico said he’s not picking opponents. “I’ll fight whomever my manager (Koizumi) wants,” he said. “If it’s (Michael) Katsidis, that’s fine with me. He’s a perfect opponent because he doesn’t run away and I think I can take his power. But my manager prefers the WBC title than the WBO.”
Suico’s trainer Juanito Ablaca said he’s looking forward to a fight against (David) Diaz next year. “If Randy fights Diaz, it’ll be 50-50,” said Ablaca. “If Randy improves on his timing and speed, he can’t lose. But we’re not rushing. There are offers to fight in Japan and South Africa. Randy’s time will come.”
Suico said Diaz suits him just fine.
“He comes right at you,” said Suico. “He’s a fighter. Either he knocks me out or I knock him out. I’ll make sure I get him first.”
Since his first attempt to win a world title, Suico has won three in a row, looking more and more at ease in the lightweight class. Next time he fights for the world crown, Suico said there will be no mistake.
“I was slow against (Juan) Diaz,” said Suico in Filipino. “I think I overdid my training. I was still sparring a week before the fight. There was little time for me to get used to the climate. I couldn’t penetrate his defense. He hit me with a hard right hook to the ear in the second round and I lost my hearing for a while. In the sixth round, I got him in the stomach and I heard him grunt. I just didn’t follow up.”
Suico complained that referee Joe Cortez wouldn’t give him a chance.
“I never went down,” said Suico. “Cortez stopped it too soon. I wasn’t groggy. My manager was very disappointed. He was confident I would win. I won’t let him down again.”
The man who just beat Erik Morales is in Randy Suico’s gunsight. WBC lightweight champion David Diaz is the target and Suico hopes to shoot a bull’s-eye in his second attempt to win a world crown.
There’s no doubt in Joe Koizumi’s mind that sooner or later, Suico will become a world titlist. Koizumi said the other day Suico will be ready for another title shot after three more bouts.
Suico, 28, is in no hurry. He showed patience in dismantling Japanese challenger Koji Samejima’s defense to score an eighth round knockout and retain his OPBF lightweight title at the Mall of Asia parking lot last Saturday. He’ll be just as patient in waiting for a second crack at the throne.
Last year, Suico was a late replacement for Lakva Sim in challenging WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz in Las Vegas. It was his 135-pound debut after a long career as a superfeatherweight and Suico clearly hadn’t adjusted to the move up.
Now, Suico’s comfortable in his new weight division where his power is as potent as it was when he fought in the 130-pound ranks.
Suico said he’s not picking opponents. “I’ll fight whomever my manager (Koizumi) wants,” he said. “If it’s (Michael) Katsidis, that’s fine with me. He’s a perfect opponent because he doesn’t run away and I think I can take his power. But my manager prefers the WBC title than the WBO.”
Suico’s trainer Juanito Ablaca said he’s looking forward to a fight against (David) Diaz next year. “If Randy fights Diaz, it’ll be 50-50,” said Ablaca. “If Randy improves on his timing and speed, he can’t lose. But we’re not rushing. There are offers to fight in Japan and South Africa. Randy’s time will come.”
Suico said Diaz suits him just fine.
“He comes right at you,” said Suico. “He’s a fighter. Either he knocks me out or I knock him out. I’ll make sure I get him first.”
Since his first attempt to win a world title, Suico has won three in a row, looking more and more at ease in the lightweight class. Next time he fights for the world crown, Suico said there will be no mistake.
“I was slow against (Juan) Diaz,” said Suico in Filipino. “I think I overdid my training. I was still sparring a week before the fight. There was little time for me to get used to the climate. I couldn’t penetrate his defense. He hit me with a hard right hook to the ear in the second round and I lost my hearing for a while. In the sixth round, I got him in the stomach and I heard him grunt. I just didn’t follow up.”
Suico complained that referee Joe Cortez wouldn’t give him a chance.
“I never went down,” said Suico. “Cortez stopped it too soon. I wasn’t groggy. My manager was very disappointed. He was confident I would win. I won’t let him down again.”
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