EXPERIENCED fighter Renoel Pael is gunning for a knockout against undefeated Japanese prospect Ryusei Kawaura in their eight-round non-title bout on Tuesday, May 14, at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

“Pael is very well prepared for this fight. He said that he’ll do everything. He really wants to knock out his opponent. He wants to end it before the sixth round,” Pael’s coach Brix Flores told SunStar Cebu in Cebuano.

The 28-year-old Pael, who fights out of the Flores Boxing Gym, is a winner of back-to-back contests after a four-fight losing slump in 2017.

He won both of his fights in 2018, winning a split decision over RR Borbon and a second round stoppage against Anthony Galigao.

This is Pael’s first fight this year after a seven-month hiatus.

But despite the long layoff, Flores assured that his ward is in top-top shape and that he’s ready to end Kawaura’s ascent in the bantamweight division.

“He still has a few fights. He hasn’t fought a tough opponent. I think we can win this. We have something up our sleeves against a lefty,” said Flores.

The 25-year-old Kawaura is a former amateur standout that made his pro debut last 2016.

After winning his first three fights against Thai opponents, Kawaura stepped up with a unanimous decision win over Cebu-based Marjun Pantilgan. He followed up that win with a third round knockout over Yuki Yoshimura.

Pael, a former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation challenger, holds a record of 23-8-1 with 12 knockouts.

Kawaura, on the other hand, has a 5-0 card with four knockouts. (EKA)