DENNIS Laurente is the Philippines' number one lightweight boxer. Hand-picked by Manny Pacquiao as the next world champion, Laurente welcomes the challenge and is flattered with Manny's choice.

When asked about his sentiments, he quickly replied, "Masayang-masaya kasi kahit ganito ako, may edad na, may tiwala pa rin sa akin.

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"Pagtitiyagahan ko. Pagbibihasaan, pagsisikapan ko talaga ng husto."

He grew up in Butuan City and moved to Agusan. Dennis lived the hard life in the province.

"Sobrang hirap naming sa probinsya," he shared. "Gustong-gusto ko mag-aral kaso walang financial."

Laurente was a farmer before he became a professional boxer and is the eldest of five. "Panganay ako kaya kailangan ko magsikap para sa pamilya at magulang ko," he said.

Laurente's struggle as a farmer in the province greatly helped him in his chosen career. "Sa pagsasaka kasi palakasan ang trabaho," he explained. "Sa pagkain, wala kaming napipili doon kasi sobrang hirap kaya sanay kaming lahat."

He experienced the most difficulty during a storm. "Yung pagsasaka namin na inaabot ng malas at minsan aabutin ng bagyo na wala kaming ma-harvest at halos wala na kaming makain kasi nasira ng bagyo," Dennis related.

This 31-year-old boxer gets his strength from his faith, hard practice, and family. "Iniisip ko na pamilyado akong tao at hindi ako pwedeng magpabaya," Dennis shared. His greatest reward in boxing is the support that he gets from his family, which ultimately makes him happy.

Boxing is closest to his heart. He started young, and his name became prominent in the province as he fought from city to city.

At 16, he was an amateur boxer and became a professional at 17 in Butuan City. He stopped boxing for more than a year but eventually returned and pursued his passion for the game.

Remarkably humble, Dennis is a serious and dedicated boxer. He trains every day, and his focus is outstanding.

"Number one, practice, disiplina sa sarili, at iwasan ang pagpupuyat," he said.

Dennis is most proud of his fight in Nagoya, Japan where he won the OBPF (Oriental Boxing Pacific Federation) and became world rank, although he lost the title in Tokyo.

Laurente's latest fight was against the previously undefeated Marvin Cordova last May in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Cordova was also the former sparring partner of Pacquiao, and Laurente was proud to beat him. "Ako ang naka-break ng record nya, 20-0. May dungis sya dahil sa akin," Dennis stated.

Laurente admits that he still has a long way to go to achieve Pacquiao's success. "Kung ikukumpara sa kanya, nasa baba pa lang ako, sya nasa taas na," he meekly said.

Besides Pacquiao, Laurente's icon is Flash Elorde. He studies all of his tapes and admires Elorde's impressive skills. In fact, Dennis trains at his gym and is managed by Elorde's son, Johnny.

Laurente dreams of becoming a world champion and improving the comforts of his life. Plans for his next fight are already in the making.

True to his modest outlook in life, Dennis refused to brag about his achievements. "Hindi ako pwedeng magyabang kasi nanggaling ako sa napakababang tao," he said. "Kung may konting narating na ako, lalaki na ang ulo ko. Iniisip ko kung ano ako sa dati, ganoon ako sa ngayon."

Dennis Laurente is proud of his roots in Mindanao. "Proud na proud ako sa Mindanao kasi doon ako lumaki," he boasted. "Sa Leyte kasi nandun yung mg magulang ko. Pagsalta ko ng Maynila sa Leyte na yung nadala ko at hanggang ngayon dala-dala ko sya."

His hometown shaped him to be a principled man. "Talagang ma-prinsipyo ang taga-Mindanao," he explained. "Ayaw ko ng traydor, gusto ko ng prangkahan."

To succeed in life, Laurente advices to pray, practice hard, and discipline one's self. He also has a message to the people in Mindanao.

"Maraming salamat," he said. "Kahit hindi ko pa narating yung gusto ko, nandyan pa din silang sumusuporta sa akin."

Dennis Laurente is a strong fighter, in and out of the ring. He earned the right to get the credit that he deserves and is a fine example of a mature and level-headed boxer. Laurente has the makings of the next world champion, and it's just a matter of time before he achieves his goal.