Pinoy boxer Renz Rosia determined to win IBO title, says manager

MANILA, Philippines – Renz Rosia’s manager remains optimistic that the Filipino fighter could pull off a title-winning performance as he challenges IBO flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane in Durban, South Africa on December 12.

Ryan Gabriel, who is also the handler of world-ranked boxer Bernabe Concepcion, told Rappler that Rosia’s determination to bring home the world title was evident in training camp as he spent hours of intense workout with head trainer Benjie Gonzales.

“There are many talented boxers out there, but it is seldom to see a determined fighter like Renz Rosia. His determination to win was in full display in training. He is such a good person with talent and power. To me, he has the chance to win it,” he said.

The International Boxing Organization, which is based in Florida, is one of the more popular boxing championships on the continent of Africa. Though not as highly-regarded as the WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF titles, a few top fighters like Gennady Golovkin and Tyson Fury hold the organization’s belt.

The 12-round flyweight championship clash between Rosia and Mthalane was originally booked to happen on November 28, but it was moved to the aforementioned date.

According to Gabriel, the rescheduling of the title tilt gave Rosia more time to prepare for his bout against Mthalane.

“It turned out to be a blessing on our part because it gave Renz more time to train. He is in top condition right now,” he shared.

Rosia (12-3, 6 knockouts) is coming off a tenth-round stoppage of compatriot Renan Trongco to capture the WBC International flyweight title this past August.

This is not the first overseas trip of the 27-year-old native of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental this year. Rosia likewise had previously traveled to South Africa last April, but was outpointed by Makazole Tete for the vacant IBO Intercontinental flyweight strap.

Entering enemy territory once again, Gabriel expressed the need of a convincing victory as Rosia locks horns with Mthalane in his home-turf.

“Last time we were in South Africa, we didn’t get a fair decision. This time around, we want a decisive win. As much as possible, we don’t want to give this fight to the judges. Renz has to stop Moruti Mthalane,” he stated.

Mthalane (31-2, 20 KOs) is riding high on an 8-match winning streak since yielding to Nonito Donaire Jr. via sixth-round technical knockout in November 2008.

During the aforementioned victory march, the 33-year-old South African was able to claim the available IBF flyweight belt with a decision win over Julio Cesar Miranda in November 2009 and had successfully defended it 4 times, which included a triumph over John Riel Casimero.

However, he vacated the IBF flyweight championship after failing to come to terms with then-mandatory challenger Amnat Ruenroeng.

Mthalane was last seen in action last year when he edged out another Pinoy pugilist in Jether Oliva by split decision for the vacant IBO flyweight title in March before he routed Odilon Zaleta to defend the belt via 12-round verdict 7 months later.

Gabriel pointed out that if Rosia would like to walk away with the IBO flyweight belt around his waist, he should confuse Mthalane with his southpaw stance and implement his pesky footwork.

“He needs to move using his footwork and avoid staying in front of his opponent. I also believe that being a southpaw will play a pivotal factor in this fight,” he suggested.

Estrada a possibility

Should Rosia fail to top Mthalane, Gabriels tells Rappler that he will be working on pitting Rosia against WBA and WBO flyweight titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada.

“If he doesn’t walk out with the IBO title, we already prepared other plans for him, including a match-up against Juan Estrada. It’s a dream, but it’s possible to do,” he stated.

Estrada (33-2, 24 knockouts) is riding high on a 7-fight winning streak since yielding to current pound-for-pound king Roman Gonzalez via 12-round verdict in November 2012.

Facing a Pinoy pugilist is not new to Estrada as he has 4 Filipinos on his list of victims, outpointing Brian Viloria and Milan Melindo in 2013 before scoring a tenth-round stoppage victory over Richie Mepranum in April 2014.

In addition, Estrada has dominant triumphs over lesser-known Pinoy boxers such as Joebert Alvarez and Rommel Asenjo.

Estrada easily routed Alvarez in a ten-round non-title contest by unanimous decision in December 2014, while he forced Ansenjo’s corner to throw in the towel in the third round of their title tilt this past March.

The 25-year-old “El Gallo” was last seen in action last September when he knocked out Hernan “Tyson” Marquez in the third round.

Aside from a showdown with Estrada, Gabriel stressed that a WBO regional title fight is another option for Rosia.

“If he’s not successful in his fight in South Africa, a WBO Oriental flyweight title shot is also available. We won’t get tired of supporting and promoting Renz,” he said. – Rappler.com