Saturday, February 03, 2007 Mercado eyes WBC title vs. South African rival
CEBU-based Jerope Mercado will try his luck to win the WBC International Bantamweight title today when he climbs the ring against Vusi Malinga at the Nasrec Indoor Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Malinga, who is also the concurrent South African bantamweight champion, won the belt in October 2003 and had successfully defended his title versus four rivals, including Filipino Joel Bauya in April 2004.
Malinga’s last title defense was against Russian banger Andrey Kostin in March last year, where he won by unanimous decision.
Mercado carries with him a 10-1-1, win-loss-draw record peppered with four KO wins, while Malinga, who is on a 14-fight winning streak since losing to compatriot Sonnyboy Magazi, holds a 15-2, 8KOs record.
Mercado’s only chance of winning the title is to floor the champion as South Africa is noted for its biased hometown decision.
Pinoy pugs who suffered biased scoring in South Africa include Wendyll Janiola (IBO lightweight title) and Randy Suico (WBC super featherweight elimination), while those who conquered their African foes in the latter’s soil are Gabriel “Bon-Bon” Pumar (WBC International minimum weight title) and Bert Batawang (WBA Pan-African light flyweight title). (RCM)
