Lopez, Cuello ready to go for title shots

MANILA, Philippines - WBC No. 1 superflyweight Silvester Lopez and WBC No. 2 minimumweight Denver Cuello took a step forward in their race to become the next Filipino world boxing champion as they demolished opponents to signify they’re ready to go for the throne last Saturday night. Lopez, 24, stopped Yuki Fukumoto at 0:19 of the fourth round and left the Japanese warrior in tears before a packed crowd at the Flash Grand Ballroom in the Elorde Sports Complex, Sucat, Parañaque, while Cuello, 25, halted Indonesia’s Kid Suryana at 1:48 of the fourth at the Jaro Plaza Gym, Iloilo City. The wins proved their worth as challengers primed to follow in Manny Pacquiao’s footsteps.

Lopez has been guaranteed by WBC president Jose Sulaiman a shot at the winner of the March 27 fight between WBC 115-pound titleholder Suriyan Sor Rungvisai of Thailand and Japan’s Yota Sato in Tokyo. He will be with manager Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde Jr. to watch the fight at ringside of the Korakuen Hall.

“I don’t care whom I fight – Suriyan or Yota,” said Lopez in Pilipino. “I’ll watch the fight closely and study their styles. It doesn’t matter where I’ll fight – in Japan or Thailand or Manila. My manager will take care of negotiating the contract.”

Against Fukumoto, Lopez faced an unorthodox fighter who did a lot of clowning to distract him. Late in the third round, Fukumoto waved Lopez in as if to invite him to throw a punch and he did, landing a right hook to the jaw that sent the Japanese down for a mandatory eight-count. It didn’t seem like Fukumoto would get up on time but as referee Silvester Abainza reached eight, he sprang up and let out a scream. Fukumoto was saved by the bell and looked shaky in going back to his corner. Early in the fourth, Lopez connected with another left-right combination and Fukumoto sank to his knees, promoting his cornerman to throw in the towel.

Fukumoto was helped back to his corner and wept unabashedly, like he was stripped of his pride. But the fans, appreciating his courage, applauded Fukumoto for his efforts.

“I had a hard time figuring him out,” said Lopez who raised his record to 19-3-1, with 15 KOs. “I never looked for a knockout. It just came. When I tried to chase him, he ran away. So I decided to stand my ground and wait for him to punch. He threw me off with his tactics. I fought somebody like him before, Jong Nam Park. I knocked him down thrice in the first round but didn’t finish him off until the eighth. I took my time with Fukumoto. When I saw the opening, I hit him as hard as I could.”

Lopez said he put on a show for his parents who flew in from Zamboanga Sibugay last Thursday. Two of his seven siblings were also in the crowd. “The last time my parents watched my fight, I knocked out Everardo Morales in one round so I wanted them to see a little more of what I can do,” he said.

Cuello was just as devastating although he never floored Suryana. In the first round, he appeared to hold back his punches as it was evident Suryana had nothing to show. Cuello invited Suryana to engage in the second round and even exposed himself to be hit but the Indonesian stayed away. Cuello began to batter Suryana at will in the third with the Indonesian’s face slowly swelling. In the fourth, Cuello unleashed a string of six unanswered blows and as Suryana reeled from the onslaught, referee Sammy Libres stepped in to halt the carnage. The win improved Cuello’s record to 30-4-6, with 20 KOs. He has now won nine straight, all by KO, since losing to Juan Hernandez on a disputed disqualification in Mexico City two years ago.

Cuello’s manager Aljoe Jaro said he is finalizing a deal to stage a fight against WBC No. 1 contender Ganigan Lopez of Mexico at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City tentatively on May 12. It will be for the interim WBC minimumweight title.

Jaro said he was agreeable for the fight to be held in Mexico but Canelo Promotions begged off from arranging it due to budget limitations. Jaro won the purse bid for the fight with an ante of $61,000 compared to Lopez’ $60,100. “I’m forced to make good on my offer,” said Jaro. “This is Denver’s chance. There is talk that (WBC minimumweight champion Kazuto) Ioka will relinquish the title and if that happens, the fight against Lopez will be for the vacant championship. I’ll just have to raise the money to make the fight happen here. It’s a big amount – about P2.6 Million just for the purses of Lopez and Denver.”

Lopez, 30, is a southpaw like Cuello and has a 20-4 record, with 14 KOs. He has won seven in a row, five last year including four by KO. Jaro said he’s sure Cuello will be a world champion before the year ends.