Silvano guns for IBF belt Dec. 3
WBO Oriental Light Flyweight champion Vergilio “Maton” Silvano (17-2-1,10KOs) expressed his excitement to fight outside of the country for the first time when he battles reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion Katsunari Takayama (25-6,10KOs) on Dec. 3 in Osaka,Japan.
Silvano, who is also the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) light-flyweight champion said that his rigid training will be his winning edge over the hard-hitting Takayama.
“Grabe akong training para aning duwaa kay nag pa ubos ko ug timbang, lisud kaayo pag una pero nadugay naanad nako, so confident ra ko sa akong condition ron,” Silvano told the Cebu Daily News.
Silvano is now in Osaka, Japan along with veteran promoter Sammy Gello-ani and his trainer Christopher “Pingping” Tepora.
Silvano added that his sparring partners in the Omega Gym in Mabolo helped him to adapt to the style of Takayama.
“I”ll do my best to win over him because this is the biggest fight of my career,” added Silvano.
The 23-year-old Dalaguete town native is on a 15-bout win streak and recently clinched the WBO Oriental Flyweight title against Jetly Purisima in Balamban town, west Cebu last Sept ember.
The 30-year-old Takayama, on the other hand, will be defending his IBF minimumweight title for the first time against Silvano. He won the IBF belt after beating Mexican Mario Rodriguez March this year. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL