HE might not have the profile of some big-name Australian fighters but Australia’s world boxing champion Randy Petalcorin hopes to make further inroads on the international scene with a win against China’s Ma Yi Ming in Beijing on Friday.
The Melbourne-based Filipino-born Petalcorin defends his interim WBA world light-flyweight (59kg) title against the rugged challenger in Beijing’s 17,000-seat Capital Gym.
Both fighters are southpaws.
After his career was developed in Melbourne, Petalcorin won the title against Panama’s Walter Tello in Shanghai last August before a crowd that included his friend Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino great who will feature in the richest fight of all time next week against Floyd Mayweather.
Petalcorin’s manager Peter Maniatis said he first saw his fighter boxing in 2010 in Manila.
“It was on the undercard of a world title fight and I was immediately impressed,” Maniatis said.
“I signed a deal with Randy after that fight to co-manage him with the Sanman gym in General Santos City.
“My plan was to always bring Randy to Melbourne so he could train and fight under Mick Hargraves at the Boxing Fit gym in Port Melbourne.
“l am lucky that I had the support of Sean Buckley, the CEO of Ultratune to promote Randy at Malvern Town Hall in November 2013 and March 2014.
“It was a buzz for the local boxing industry to see a potential superstar such as Randy fight there.
“l really think Randy can win three world titles in three different weight classes.”
Read more on this story over at Courier Mail http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/boxing-mma/australias-randy-petalcorin-facing-chinas-ma-yi-ming/story-fnii0bqi-1227311795165