THE Kenny Demecillo vs. Lee Haskins world title eliminator has been added as one of the featured fights in the MP Promotions Oct. 21 event in Manila which is headlined by a world championship fight between Randy Petalcorin and Felix Alvarado.
“That’s the scheduled date but Haskins still has to sign the contract,” said Omega Pro Sports International (OPSI) vice-president Jerome Calatrava.
Demecillo and former world champion Haskins slug it out in a 12-round International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title eliminator. This also serves as a test for Demecillo, to check if he deserves a multi-fight deal under Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions.
“He has to win this if he wants to be given more fights under MP Promotions,” said Calatrava.
The 36-year-old Haskins is rated No. 4, while Demecillo is ranked No. 5. The winner of the eliminator is going to become the No. 1 contender for the IBF bantamweight belt, which is currently held by Emmanuel Rodriguez.
“I’m ready,” said Demecillo. “I’ll do everything I can to win this.”
Demecillo has been an underdog all of his career. He isn’t the most talented in a roster of young promising fighters at the Omega Boxing Gym, but he surely has the biggest heart.
Known for his heart-pounding brawling style, Demecillo has a tendency to score huge upsets. His most notable ones are his two stoppage wins of former amateur standout Daryl Basadre and his knockout victory over previously unbeaten Russian prospect Vyacheslav Mirzaev.
Haskins, the former IBF bantamweight champion, has beaten the likes of Ivan Morales and Ryosuke Iwasa. He is on a nine-month layoff after a decision win over Isaac Quaye.
The 26-year-old Demecillo is 14-4-2 with eight knockouts, while Haskins is 35-4 with 14 knockouts.
In the main event, Petalcorin (29-2-1, 22 KOs) and Alvarado (33-2, 29 KOs) are fighting for the vacant IBF flyweight belt. EKA