“MAGIC” Mike Plania looks to climb up the super bantamweight rankings as he takes on fellow world-rated Elijah Pierce Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 (PH time), at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Plania expects a tough fight against Pierce. But working with a world-class trainer like Nonito Donaire Sr. has surely boosted his confidence and improved his skills.
“This will be a tough fight for Mike Plania,” said Donaire Sr. “If Mike can execute the strategy that we planned, then there’s a huge chance that he will win. We are not looking for a knockout. We just want to get the win.”
Donaire Sr. has worked with Plania for just a year. He was in Plania’s corner when he demolished tough veteran Mark Anthony Geraldo in just a single round last May 17 in Gen. Santos City.
Donaire Sr. is one of the key pieces in the success of his son, four-division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. He molded him into one of the Philippines’ best boxers.
“I trained him like how I trained Nonito (Jr.) in the past. Hopefully he’ll show it in the fight,” he said.
Following a loss in 2019, the 26-year-old Pierce is on a hot streak, winning eight straight fights. He’s currently ranked No. 14 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 15 by the World Boxing Organization.
The 26-year-old Plania is also ranked high in two boxing organizations: No. 14 by the International Boxing Federation and No. 22 by the WBC. A win over Pierce should improve Plania’s rankings.
Plania, a former amateur standout, is 28-2 with 15 knockouts, while Pierce is 17-2 with 14 knockouts.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Carlo Demecillo faces Japanese prospect Kaito Yamasaki in an eight-rounder at the Sumiyoshi Ward Center in Osaka, Japan.
The 27-year-old Demecillo, who fights out of the Big Yellow Boxing Gym in Cebu, is out to redeem himself after losing to Japanese Jun Ikegawa by split decision last May 13 in Parañaque City.
The 25-year-old Yamasaki is looking to continue his ascent in the featherweight rankings with a win over an experienced former regional champion in Demecillo.
Demecillo is 16-7-2 with nine knockouts, while Yamasaki is 5-0 with three knockouts. (EKA)