MANILA, Philippines - Para paghandaan ang kanyang unang title defense, magsasanay ang bagong International Boxing Organization super flyweight champion na si Edrin ‘The Sting’ Dapudong sa Mexico.
Inalok ng magkapatid na sina Mexican boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera at kapatid nitong si Jorge ang Filipino champion na magsanay sa kanilang boxing gym sa Mexico City.
“Marco and Jorge are very excited to have Dapudong train in their gym in Mexico City,†kuwento ni physical therapist Jeff de Guzman, kaibigan ng mga Barreras, kay dating North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol, ang tumatayong manager ni Dapudong.
Pinabagsak ni Dapudong si dating world champion Gideon Buthelezi sa isang first-round KO win para agawin sa South African ang hawak nitong IBO title noong Hunyo 15 sa Emperor’s Palace Resort and Casino sa South Africa.
Naipaghiganti ni Dapudong (29-5-0, 17 KOs) ang kanyang kontro-bersyal na split decision loss kay Buthelezi (13-4-0, 4 KOs) sa kanilang unang pagtatagpo noong Nobyembre 10, 2012 sa nasabi ring venue.
Sinabi ni Piñol na maaaring magtungo ang grupo ni Dapudong sa Mexico sa susunod na dalawang linggo.
“The consideration to send Edrin to a training camp abroad, specifically Mexico, was prompted by the realization that there is still a lot to be improved in the Filipino boxer’s fighting style to ensure that he will survive the tougher opponents in his title defenses,†ani Piñol ukol kay Dapudong.
Hindi na naplantsa ang pagdedepensa sana ni Dapudong laban kay Nkosinathi Joyi (23-2-0, 16 KOs) ng South Africa.
“The Mexico training is expected to elevate the level of sparring sessions for Dapudong as there are many outstanding Mexican fighters in the flyweight and junior bantamweight division,†dagdag pa ni Piñol.