FORMER amateur standout Criztian Pitt Laurente locks horns with Vicente Casido in an eight-rounder in the main event of GerryPens Promotions’ #BangonCebu show on Jan. 22, 2022 in Bogo City.
After an impressive 2021, Laurente kicks off his 2022 campaign against the tough Casido.
The 22-year-old Laurente logged three victories in 2021, beating former world title challenger Ernesto Saulong by unanimous decision and knocking out both Kim Lindog and journeyman Ernie Sanchez.
Casido, on the other hand, just returned from a three-year layoff last June 19, 2021, but lost via majority decision to Rodex Piala in Mandaue City.
Laurente is 8-0 with five knockouts, while Casido is 6-3-1 with two knockouts.
Laurente is a promising prospect that’s being groomed to stardom by retired two-division world champion Gerry Peñalosa, who promotes him. Laurente had a stellar amateur career, in which he was a member of the national boxing team and competed internationally in the AIBA Youth Boxing Championships, Asian Junior Boxing Championships, Children of Asia International Games and the Asian Youth Boxing Championships. He made his pro debut in 2019 with an impressive first round knockout of Rey John Indita.
In the undercard, John Mark Tihuk (5-1-2, 1 KO) trades leathers with Jeffrey Stella (11-14-3, 5 KOs), Kenneth Llover (3-0, 3 KOs) slugs it out with Jimpol Dignos (2-2, 1 KO), Noli James Maquilan (0-1) faces off with Rolly Dorong (1-2-2) and Reycar Auxilo (1-1) is up against Carlos Agustin (0-1) in the event’s curtain-raiser.