Rolando Dy banking on experience to beat Japanese foe at PXC 53

MANILA, Philippines – A tough test awaits Rolando Gabriel Dy in his upcoming bout against Koyomi Matsushima at PXC 53 on April 8, but the Filipino fighter believes that he could be the roadblock to the Japanese’s undefeated streak. 

Dy, the 24-year-old son of former world boxing champion Rolando Navarrete, stressed that his experience will play a pivotal role in trumping Matsushima in their 3-round featherweight encounter, which takes place at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City and is slotted as the card’s co-headliner.

“My advantage coming into this fight is my experience. If you’re going to compare it with the fighters that he fought before, I’ve faced tougher ones, especially here in PXC. I also believe I’m the more technically-sound competitor than him,” he told Rappler. 

Inside PXC’s Terror Dome, Dy triumphantly danced with the likes of Arex Montalban, Kyle Reyes and Han Bin Park.

Dy also vied for the vacant PXC bantamweight championship against Kyle Aguon in October 2014, but he failed to walk away with the silver-plated strap by way of a controversial split decision loss.

In his return to the featherweight division after 3 stints at bantamweight, Dy regained his winning form as he pressed the action from bell to bell against compatriot Miguel Mosquera and cruised to a unanimous decision victory this past January.

With his impressive outing versus Mosquera, Dy realized that the featherweight division is the right bracket for his 5-foot-9 brawny physique. 

“The Rolando Dy that is fighting at featherweight now is way bigger than before and more experienced and technical in the stand-up and ground departments,” he said. 

Unlike in his lopsided meeting with Mosquera, Dy is not expecting a walk-in-a-park match with Matsushima, who won all of his last 5 fights by knockout. 

Dy says he is not giving himself any room for complacency as he tapped PXC flyweight champion Jenel Lausa and ONE Championship featherweight fighter Eric Kelly as his training partners. 

Knowing that Matsushima has never gone the distance in his young career, Dy seeks to test his endurance.

“The game plan is still a secret, but I know he is a strong opponent and has a great timing in landing those shots. But I see a lot of loopholes in his game. i am planning to exploit it. And yes, I want also to test his stamina,” he stated. 

If he secures an impressive victory over Matsushima, Dy might place himself on the verge of another championship crack.

Dy hopes that he can earn a date with PXC featherweight titleholder Alex Volkanovski. 

“I believe that I am one of the best and well-rounded fighters in the country. With that being said, I hope that PXC will grant me another shot at the title with a victory over Matsushima. I am willing to prove my worth as a contender,” he ended. – Rappler.com