This is how Cebu’s foremost boxing patron and mentor of the world class ALA Boys, Antonio Aldeguer, describes the fortune that went Czar Amonsot’s way.
The WBO Asia Pacific lightweight champion Amonsot was tapped to challenge WBO lightweight interim champion Michael Katsidis of Australia in the undercard of the Bernard Hopkins vs. Ronald “Winky” Wright on July 21 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, US.
“Last night, Golden Boy Promotions was talking to Sammy (Gello-ani) asking his opinion on who is best to fight Katsidis.
Sammy told them why look for someone else, when we have Amonsot ready to go?” Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday. “(Yesterday) morning, the offer came and I accepted it.”
Amonsot was supposed to headline the July 7 card at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel Grand Ballroom but his handlers had to pull him out of the card because of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that came his way.
“I can say that Amonsot is in the best shape now. His conditioning is good and he had settled all his problems and he is very focused on his career now,” Aldeguer added.
Amonsot was kicked out of the ALA Stable following his bad conditioning that led to his humiliating loss in Tagbilaran City last year. He lost his WBO super featherweight belt to Indonesia Simson Butar-Butar in just 47 seconds of the first round.
However, he was allowed to train at the gym after a month and went on to win the vacant WBO regional belt last February.
Experience
“Experience-wise, Amonsot is at par with Katsidis. He had fought three formidable Mexican opponents and fought in Las Vegas twice. I think we have a good chance,” Aldeguer said.
Amonsot fought Christian Favela in February 2006, then Jose Reyes in May of that same year and Silverio Ortiz in July last year.
Katsidis, on the other hand, has not fought in the US and his last fight was held in England, where he won his title against Graham Earl.
The 26-year-old Australian is undefeated in 22 fights, 20 by knockouts. Among his victims were Filipino campaigners Ranee Ganoy and Nonoy Gonzales.
“If he can not knockout Amonsot in five rounds, then I can say Katsidis will be in a lot of trouble,” Aldeguer said.
Amonsot is scheduled to leave for Las Vegas next week where he will train there for one week before he will join his stablemates Z Gorres and Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista at the Wild Card Gym a week later. (RCM)
