IGOROT WARRIOR NO GAME PLAN YET VS. OPBF CHAMP

Rex "Igorot Warrior" showing his muscles during a workout at the Highland Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet. — *Rex “Igorot Warrior” Wao showing his muscles during a workout at the Highland Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet.*

By LITO DELOS REYES

FORMER WBC International bantamweight champion Rex “Irogot Warrior” Wao of the Philippines admitted that he still has no game plan yet against reigning Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight champion Takahiro Yamamoto of Japan on July 20 at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan.

Wao said that they still have not yet seen a video of Yamamoto’s past fights.

But Wao said that he is ready to mix it up against the Japanese hardpuncher. And he knows that Yamamoto is a knockout artist with a record of 17 wins and 14 knockouts against only 4 loses.

Wao said that he is not sure if he can knockout Yamamoto.

“Hindi po ako sigurado dahil malakas din naman siya. Sasabay po ako sa kanya. Gagawin ko po ang lahat sa laban na ito,” (I’m not sure because he is also strong. But I can mix up with him. I will do all my best for this fight) said Wao in his text message.

The 26-year old Wao, who has 11 wins, 2 loses and 9 knockouts said that his preparation is “just okay” with trainer Eric Santig.

Chief trainer Joven Jorda is still in China with manager Brico Santig to second WBC Youth World super lightweight title-holder Sonny “Pinoy Hearns” Katiandagho, who was facing the undefeated Armenian Rafik Harutjunjan for the vacant WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council welterweight crown last July 9.

Wao is still regularly training at the Highland Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet and also jogs 20 kilometers from the gym going to Baguio City.

“Balikan po yun na matataas na akyatan at pababa din,” (It’s back and forth with uphill and downhill also) said Wao, who is now only three pounds over the 118 lbs. weight limit.

Wao and Eric Santig are expected to go down to Manila next week for their scheduled flight to Osaka, Japan on July 18.

Wao last won by a first round technical knockout against Mike Espanosa on March 3, 2015 at the Makati Cinema Square Boxing Arena in Makati City.

He previously fought but lost to Xian Qian Wei by a unanimous decision last November 3 at the EXPO Garden Hotel, Kunming, China for both the WBC Asian Boxing Council featherweight title and the WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council featherweight title.

Wao, who has 11 wins with 9 Kos against only 2 loses and no draw, won the vacant WBC International bantamweight crown by stopping Virden Rivera on June 25, 2014 in Mandaluyong City.

Yamamoto won the OPBF title in a rematch with Yu Kawaguchi via a 7th round TKO on August 2 at the Prefectural Gym in Osaka.

He earlier lost by a split decision to Kawaguchi in their first championship fight. Yamamoto retained the crown via a 2nd round TKO victory over fellow Japanese Yuki Strong Kobayashi last December 31 in Osaka. – LITO DELOS REYES