Don’t run, Llover tells title-eliminator foe

MANILA, Philippines — One may jump over hurdles, but rising Filipino boxing contender Kenneth Llover is aiming to smash his.

The 23-year-old pride of General Trias, Cavite takes on Michael Angeletti in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight championship title eliminator next month.

Llover and Angeletti are both undefeated, with the former holding a 17-0 record (12 knockouts), while the latter has a 14-0 slate (eight KOs).

In an interview with Philstar.com, Llover said that he is going for broke en route to the championship title shot.

“Masasabi ko po sa laban namin, isang magandang laban talaga to. Bibigyan ko siya ng magandang laban na hiinahanap niya. Masasabi ko lang din po sa kalaban ko na huwag niya akong tatakbuhan,” he told Philstar.com Thursday.

“Mag-ubusan kami ng hangin talaga. Suntukan po talaga.”

The winner of the fight set on June 6th in Japan will take on IBF champion Jose Salas. The world bantamweight champion is also undefeated so far with 17-0 (11 KOs).

Llover’s previous five wins have come via knockout. The boxer’s latest victory was against Ayati Sailike also at the Aichi Sky Expo, and the finish came in the second round.

“Ang masasabi ko lang, siraaan kami ng record dalawa. Talagang opportunity to para sa amin dalawa. Magandang opportunity,” he said.

The slugger, whose aggressive style has made him one of the biggest names in Philippine boxing, stressed that his advantage over the American, who won five of six matches via decision.

“Ang makikita kong advantage sa kanya is yung tapang. Yung tapang, yun yung mahirap hanapin eh. Yung tapang ang pinakamahirap kalaban sa lahat. Then, talino sa laban. Pacing. Huwag mamadali,” he said.

“Matik [ha-huntingin ko siya,] huwag niya akong tatakbuhan talaga. Ha-huntingin ko talaga siya. Mag-ubusan kami. First to twelve, ubusin namin yung hangin namin dalawa.”

Asked whether he sees the fight going the distance, he simply said to look out come fight night.

“Confident ako dahil alam ko din po sa sarili ko na may ibubuga din ako sa kaniya. ‘Di rin ako basta-basta. Sabi nga, huwag din siyang magkukumpiyansa sa akin, talagang ingat kami parehas.”