Bangoyan tries to become newest Pinoy world champ

Balweg Bangoyan's may not ring a bell, but he's the latest Filipino prizefighter who'll take a shot at a world boxing title. The 23-year-old native of Digos, Davao del Sur left for Tokyo, Japan Monday as he challenges champion Toshiaki Nishioka for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super-bantamweight title on April 30. Bangoyan is fighting outside of the country for the first time, but that hardly deters him in his long, cherished dream to become the latest Filipino world boxing champion. He has a ring record of 15-0 with six knockouts. "Hindi naman po tayo kinakabahan dahil first time natin lalaban sa labas ng Pilipinas. Chance of a lifetime ito kaya kinuha ko na," said Bangoyan prior to his departure, accompanied by trainers Frederick and Junius Wangkay. Bangoyan was training for a bout against Jong Won Jong when the call for a title fight with Nishioka came at the last minute. "Napanood ko na rin 'yung ibang laban niya (Nishioka) and tingin ko beatable siya. Average fighter lang," he said of his 33-year-old opponent. A southpaw, Nishioka (35-4, 22 KOs), is making the third defense of his 122-pound belt he won via a 12-round technical knockout of Mexican Genaro Garcia in Japan last year. He succesffuly defended the crown against Jhonny Gonzales (3rd round, TKO) and Ivan Hernandez (3rd round, retired, TKO). Gonzales, ironically, is the same Mexican fighter our very own Gerry Peñnalosa knocked out in the seventh round three years ago to capture the World Boxing Organization (WBO) version of the belt. Likewise, Gonzales knocked down Nishioka in the opening round of their title fight, only to be stopped in the third himself by the Japanese champion. "May lakas din naman siya kaya di dapat mag-kumpiyansa. Basta mag-focus lang tayo, kaya nating manalo," said Bangoyan, who’s being handled by Jose Abad Santos town mayor Zander Khan. A win by Bangoyan would put him in the company of WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, WBC light flyweight title holder Rodel Mayol and WBO minimumweight king Donnie Nietes as the reigning Filipino world titlists at the moment. - JVP, GMANews.TV