Friday, July 11, 2008 Domingo gets new foe in WBO title fight
EVEN if he got a new foe just a few weeks shy of his WBO Oriental bantamweight fight on the “Laban na Banal: Panahon Na” fight card on July 26 at the Cebu Coliseum, nothing’s going to block Michael Domingo’s path for a world title shot.
Yesterday, the WBO informed ALA Promotions that they had selected another fighter to face Domingo.
Instead of Thai boxer Chaiyong Sakkreerin, WBO picked Rivo Rengkung, an Indonesian veteran with a credible professional record of 27 wins, 6 losses and 5 draws with 10 knockouts.
He is also the No. 2 rated boxer in the Indonesian Boxing Association.
But even with this change of foe, Domingo is unmoved because he has trained hard and is ready to face anything placed in front of him.
“Michael is well prepared. We at the ALA Gym prepare our boxers for anything. Michael is already a veteran and is no longer a young prospect, he can adjust to the style of his new opponent,” ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview.
Hopeful
Aldeguer was hopeful that they would retain Sakkreerin as Domingo’s opponent on July 26 but WBO thought otherwise. ALA Gym will research on the boxing style of this virtually unknown opponent and will apply the needed adjustments for Domingo.
This is Domingo’s stepping stone for his road to a world title.
If he wins, he will break into the rankings of the WBO bantamweight division and will be a step closer to his dream of a world title.
Two failures
Domingo has a record of 35 wins 14 defeats and 2 draws with 14 KO’s.
Domingo have had his share of regional title shots in the past but failed in his first two outings. He lost the WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight title after he was knockedout in the eighth round by Sod Looknongyangtoy in 2001 and he lost the International Boxing Federation Pan Pacific bantamweight crown by unanimous decision to Teerapong Distar in 2004.
Meanwhile, boxing fans will have an up-close and personal look at their ring idols as they will display their talent in a public workout in Gaisano Tabunok tomorrow.
The ALA boys, who will show their skills in front of fight fans, will be headed by AJ “Bazooka” Banal, who will be in the biggest fight of his young professional career against the Panamanian brawler Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion for the World Boxing Association super flyweight title.
Alongside Banal will be Domingo, WBO Asia Pacific Champion Milan “Milenyo” Milendo and James Bacon. (EKA)
