CEBU, Philippines - ALA Boxing Gym mainstay Jerson ‘Smooth Operator’ Mancio (18-3-3, 9KOs) takes another crack at a regional title when he figures in a 12-round battle with Japanese upstar Naoya Inoue (4-0, 3KOs) for the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light flyweight belt this Friday in Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan.
It will be Mancio's second OPBF title shot since he lost to Ryo Miyazaki by fourth round TKO on October 2, 2011 at the IMP Hall in Osaka, Japan.
After suffering another defeat by decision at the hands of Junichi Ebisuoka, the 26-year-old Mancio put himself back on the right track by racking up five straight wins, starting off with a fifth round stoppage of Charlie Cabilla to snare the Philippine 108-pound crown on April 20, last year at the Mandaue City Plaza Square in Brgy. Centro, Mandaue City.
In his previous bout, the Esperanza, Agusan del Sur fighter won by technical decision in the second round over Jovel Romasasa last August 17 at the Magsaysay Park in Davao City.
Mancio, together with his trainer Edmund Villamor, left for Japan yesterday with high hopes of going back to the country with the belt strapped around his waist.
“He (Mancio) prepared hard for this fight. Hopefully we can come back in the country with the title in our hands,†said Villamor.
Experience wise, Mancio has a huge advantage but he must not take Inoue lightly as the Japanese is said to be a dangerous opponent despite having only four pro fights. (FREEMAN)