DACQUEL, MALONEY MAKE WEIGHT FOR UNIFICATION FIGHT

UNIFICATION BOUT. OPBF super flyweight champion Rene Dacquel (right) of the Philippines and WBA Oceania super flyweight champion Andrew Maloney of Australia during their weigh-in. (Photo by BRICO SANTIG)

Dacquel (right) and Maloney tipping the scales. (Photos by WARREN ELLIOT)

By LITO DELOS REYES

REIGNING OPBF super flyweight champion Rene “Commander” Dacquel of the Philippines and WBA Oceania super flyweight king Andrew Maloney both made their weights today (Feb. 23) for their unification championship fight tomorrow at the Town Hall in St. Kilda, Australia.
Dacquel tipped the scales at 51.75 kg. while Maloney submitted at 52.2 kg. at the Adara Apartments at Leanox St., Richmond.
“OK ang kundisyon ko. Gagawin ko ang lahat upang manalo,” (My condition is OK. I will do all I can to win) said Dacquel in a Facebook message.
Dacquel (20W-6L-1D, 6 KOs) is making his third title defense while Maloney (15W-0L, 10 KOs) is only going for his second title defense.
Dacquel previously won by a unanimous decision against Japanese Hayato Kimura last July 19 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo to retain his title.
Maloney, on the other hand, kept his unblemished record via a 4th round technical knockout win over another Japanese Hashimu Zuberi last October 21 at the Function Centre in Melbourne Park to keep his WBA Oceania super flyweight title and also capture the vacant Commonwealth (British Empire) crown.
The 27-year old Dacquel is accompanied by Filipino international boxing manager-promoter Brico Santig of Highland International Boxing Promotions and matchmaker Warren Elliot of Team United Promotions.