NONITO Donaire Jr. will not be the only Filipino battliong for a world title today as WBC Silver superflyweight champion Sylvester Lopez (19W-3L-1D, 15 KOs) of Zamboanga Sibugay will challenge WBC world superflyweight champion Yota Sato (24W-2L-1D, 12 KOs) in Yokohama, Japan.
Both Sato and Lopez made the division limit of 115lbs during yesterday’s official weigh-in.
Lopez has won five straight bouts via the short route since he lost by technical decision to Juan Jose Montes in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico last Oct. 2, 2010. His streak includes a major win in Mexico last year when he stopped Mexican Oscar Ibarra in eight rounds in Queretaro. The 24 year-old Lopez also held the WBC International superflyweight title. He spent two weeks training in Japan and is promoted by Gabriel ‘Bebot’ Elorde Jr.
The 28 year-old Sato will make the first defense of the title he won last March by unanimous decision against Suriyan Sor Rungvisai of Thailand at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. All of Sato’s pro fights were held in Japan. Sato vs. Lopez will be aired live on AKTV. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.