Another hurdle for Cuello

Ripe and ready for a world title shot, WBC No. 2 mininumweight contender Denver Cuello left Manila last Sunday night with manager Aljoe Jaro for Los Angeles in a trip that will eventually take the Iloilo ring sensation to Guanajuato, Mexico, for a championship eliminator against No. 1 Ganigan Lopez on May 19.

For Cuello, a loss to Lopez is out of the question. “It’s a case of do or die,” said Jaro shortly before boarding a Philippine Airlines flight with Cuello. “I’ve asked the WBC to provide neutral judges and a neutral referee. But I’m not relying on that. To make sure, Denver is going for a knockout. He promised to finish it by the sixth round and if it goes beyond six, you won’t be able to recognize Lopez’ face.”

Cuello is just a step away from a title crack and Lopez is the final obstacle. If he wins, the Filipino will battle the winner of the unification duel between WBC titlist Kazuto Ioka and WBA champion Akira Yaegashi in Osaka on June 20. Ioka, 23, has a 9-0 record, with 6 KOs, while Yaegashi, 29, totes a mark of 15-2, with 8 KOs.   

“I’ve been assured by (WBC executive secretary) Mauricio (Sulaiman) that Denver will be the next mandatory challenger and I expect the fight to be in Japan in September,” said Jaro. “Denver’s in excellent shape for Lopez. He did about 130 rounds with sparmates like (bantamweight) Marlon Tapales and (former WBC lightflyweight champion) Rodel Mayol. He’s prepared to win.”

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Jaro said Cuello will train two days with Manny Pacquiao in Los Angeles before heading for Mexico City. “We won’t do any more sparring so in L. A., Denver will just run with Manny at Griffith Park and work out at the Wild Card Gym,” he said. “Then, we’ll fly to Mexico City and get adjusted to the climate in time for Saturday’s fight.”

Jaro said his tie-up with the Mexican group Canelo Promotions owned by Saul Alvarez protects Cuello from getting a raw deal. “The fight against Lopez is a co-promotion with Canelo so we’re protected,” said Jaro. “Still, I’m not taking any chances. Denver won’t let it go the distance.”

Cuello, 25, has won his last nine outings, all by KO, since losing to Juan Hernandez on a highly controversial third round disqualification in Mexico City two years ago. The streak includes two knockout wins over Carlos Perez and Sebastian Arcos in Mexico last year. Cuello’s record is 30-4-6, with 20 KOs, compared to Lopez’ 20-4, with 14 KOs. Lopez, 30, has won seven in a row since bowing to Adrian Hernandez on a split decision in 2010. He is nicknamed “El Zurdo” or southpaw. Both Cuello and Lopez are left-handed. Lopez is taller by an inch and a half. The eliminator will be held at the Palenque de la Feria in Celaya, Guanajuato.

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  Meanwhile, Jaro’s other prized protégé WBC flyweight titlist Sonny Boy Jaro of Silay City will stake his crown for the first time against Toshiyuki Igarashi in Tokyo on July 12 or 15. Jaro, 30, began training for the defense last week. He won the WBC crown on an upset sixth round knockout over Thai Pongsaklek Wonjongkam last March. Igarashi, 28, is a southpaw with a record of 15-1-1, with 10 KOs. He recently outpointed Mexico’s Wilbert Uicab in Tokyo with Sulaiman himself acting as ringside supervisor. Igarashi’s only loss was to Tomonobu Shimizu on points. He holds a first round knockout win over Filipino Rexon Flores.

Last Sunday morning, Jaro was with Cuello and Sonny Boy at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City to cheer for defending WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria. Sonny Boy, who shaved his head for the fight against Pongsaklek, has grown his hair. He said he would shave his skull again for Igarashi.

“My dream is to manage two Filipino world champions this year,” said Jaro. “Sonny Boy is the first and Denver will be the second. I think my dream will come true.”