Landero gets WBO title shot

Thursday, February 23, 2012

ANOTHER Filipino warrior will tread on enemy soil and attempt a feat few of his countrymen have achieved: win a world title fight in Mexico.

Michael Landero is challenging Mexican Moises Fuentes, 26, for his World Boxing Organization mini-flyweight crown on March 3 in Tijuana, Mexico.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

The last to win in a world title fight in Mexico is world champion Donnie Nietes, who defended the WBO mini-flyweight crown against Mario Rodriguez via unanimous decision on Aug. 14, 2010.

Another Filipino, Rodel Mayol, also did the same feat a year earlier and snatched the World Boxing Council light flyweight belt with a stoppage victory over Edgar Sosa.

Nietes also won back-to-back world title fights in Mexico earlier that year.

The 25-year-old Landero, 15-5-4 with five knockouts, is coming off a unanimous decision loss to South African Hekkie Budler for the vacant International Boxing Organization mini-flyweight crown last Sept. 24 in South Africa.

In contrast, Fuentes, 14-1 with six knockouts, upset Raul Garcia via split decision last Aug. 27 in Mexico to grab the WBO mini-flyweight strap.