Title shot for Astro Boy

MANILA, Philippines — Vincent Astrolabio defied the odds by knocking out Russia’s Nikolai Potapov in Las Vegas last weekend to earn a crack at either the IBF or WBO bantamweight title with Puerto Rico’s Emanuel Rodriguez blocking his way to end the Philippines’ championship drought.

Astrolabio, 25, decked Potapov in the first and fifth rounds before finishing him off at 1:26 of the sixth as referee Robert Hoyle counted to 10. The Russian was cut over the right eye in the second frame. Both the IBF and WBO thrones will be vacant as soon as Japan’s Naoya Inoue declares he’s moving up in weight. The Astrolabio-Potapov fight was an IBF 118-pound title eliminator with the vacant WBO intercontinental strap at stake. Levi Martinez represented the IBF and Craig Hubble the WBO at ringside as supervisors. Astrolabio was ahead on the three judges scorecards when the fight ended as Tim Cheatham saw it 50-43, Chris Migliore 49-44 and Steve Weisfeld 48-45. The win improved Astrolabio’s record to 18-3, with 13 KOs and came after outpointing Cuba’s Guillermo Rigondeaux in Dubai last February.

“When you’re given a chance in life, come and take it and that’s what Astrolabio did,” said MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons. “He didn’t waste the opportunity. It was his first fight in the US and he put on a masterful performance. I knew from the past the kid had it and he was amazing. Anybody can take top prospects and turn them into world champions but guys who aren’t supposed to be up there are given the opportunity and win fights. That’s what Hall of Fame matchmaking is about and Astrolabio now has a chance to become a world champ.”  Gibbons said he expects Astrolabio to fight for the crown within the first four months of next year.

Whether it’s the IBF or WBO title, Astrolabio will be lined up against Rodriguez. “Sa harap lang si Rodriguez at madaling tamaan, hindi malikot, counterpuncher at magaling din,” said Astrolabio’s trainer Nonoy Neri. “Malakas si Astrolabio at madidiin mga suntok. Magandang laban ‘yan.” They were in Jorge Capetillo’s training camp in Las Vegas with strength and conditioning coach Memo Heredia for two months preparing for Potapov.  Neri and Astrolabio are now back in Davao where they live in homes two kilometers apart.