Now or never for Tiger Ari

He’s not getting any younger. And Tiger Ari, 34, is running out of time. The two-time Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) superfeatherweight champion is also running out of opposition in this part of the world.

So it was no surprise when Ari – whose real name is Eder Olivetti – relinquished his OPBF crown to fight Cassius Ponani Baloyi for the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) 130-pound title at the Carnival City Arena in Drakpan, South Africa, on April 17.

Ari is unbeaten in his last 30 fights and hasn’t lost since dropping a decision to former world champion Samart Payakaroon in Bangkok in 1994 – eight years ago. He’s rated No. 4 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) in the superfeatherweight class but despite the lofty ranking, couldn’t get a break to fight for the throne.

Now, Ari has a chance to prove his worth against Baloyi.

Ari’s manager Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde, Jr. said promoter Rodney Berman offered a $17,000 purse for the Carnival City bout. The amount is less than what Ari pockets for each OPBF title defense – $20,000. But according to Elorde, money wasn’t the primary consideration. Ari’s dream of someday reigning as world champion was.

Elorde said it’s a big risk for Ari to fight a South African in his home turf. But Ari’s going for broke. "Ito na ang kanyang pagkakataon," noted Elorde. "Makikita natin kung mayroon pa siyang ibubuga."

Ari has started rigid training and is quartered in Elorde’s home at St. Rita Village in Sucat. He plans to leave for South Africa with trainer Erbito Salavarria at least a week before the bout.

Baloyi, 26, is no pushover. At 5-11, he towers over Ari by three inches. The South African boasts a 26-1 record, with 14 KOs, and lists former world champions Hector Lizarraga and Frankie Toledo among his victims. Before turning pro, Baloyi captured the gold medal as a bantamweight at the 1992 World Ratings Tournament in Berlin and competed at the 1993 World Championships in Tampere.

Baloyi, known as the "Hit Man," is a former World Boxing Union (WBU) junior featherweight and featherweight titlist. He’s been floored only once in his career – by a left hook to the jaw from Steve Robinson in England two years ago. Baloyi got up from the knockdown to score a majority 12-round decision over Robinson.

Last November, Baloyi suffered his first defeat in losing a 12-round decision to Phillip Ndou. He wound up with a broken left jaw and the right side of his face was badly swollen. But Baloyi gave Ndou a big scare before succumbing. At least twice, Ndou was in danger of falling as Baloyi landed crisp combinations and his vaunted right uppercut.

A scouting report on Baloyi said he has a strong chin, can fight on the back foot, is dangerous inside or outside, likes to throw combinations, allows himself to be trapped on the ropes, lacks power, and sometimes loses focus.

Baloyi’s trainer is former world junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell. Incidentally, he hasn’t found it difficult beating southpaws – Toledo, Brian Carr and Said Lawal were some of his lefthanded victims – so he’s not expected to adjust too much to Ari’s portside style.

Ari’s record is 60-5-3, with 28 KOs. He’s been decked only twice – by Amado Cabato (whom he outpointed after getting up) and Eun Sik Lee.

One of eight children, Ari comes from a fighting family. His father Oscar Olivetti, known as Oscar Reyes in the ring, ruled as Philippine and Oriental junior lightweight champion in 1962. His brothers Berlin, Romy, and Oscar, Jr. or Lion Ari are ex-pros. Youngest brother Dino Olivetti is the reigning Philippine junior featherweight champion.

When he was 12 picking up small change as a watch-your-car boy in the parking lot of the Santa Ana racetrack, Ari found out he could fight. Four big bullies tried to get the P5 he earned for watching a car and Ari beat them up by himself. That incident led to a boxing career.

Ari finished only up to second year of high school to concentrate on boxing. He turned pro in 1984 and adopted the ring name Tiger Ari because his then manager Ruben Ortiz’ company was called Ari Industries Manila. Ortiz’ trading partner was a Japanese named Noburo Arikawa. Although Ortiz no longer manages Ari, the nom de guerre stuck.

Ari – who was named Eder by his father after the legendary Brazilian champion Eder Jofre – polished his skills under trainers Nestor (Puring) Angel and Salavarria. He learned how to power punch from Angel, how to box intelligently from Salavarria, and how to defend from his father.

Like Baloyi, Ari’s most potent weapon is the right uppercut which he copied from Marvin Hagler.

Elorde said Ari and Salavarria have been studying Baloyi’s style from tapes of his last two fights – a knockout over Jorge Paredes of Argentina and the loss to Ndou. Baloyi is tall, shifty, and rangy, added Elorde, but he’s beatable.

Ari said he’ll keep on fighting as long as he keeps on winning. From his ring earnings, he’s bought a house and lot in Biñan for his family – wife Jenny and their children Dina, 11 and Jaybee, 8. Before retiring, he hopes to have saved enough to build a row of apartments. And of course, he hopes his dream to become a world champion will have come true.