Laurente to face former world title challenger Saulong on March 20

By LITO DELOS REYES

DAVAO CITY — Undefeated Criztian Pitt Laurente (5W-0L-3KOs) of Gen. Santos City will face former world title challenger Ernesto “Chocolate” Saulong (22W-6L-2D-9KOs) of Mindoro Occidental on March 20 at Biñan, Laguna.

Laurente, who is under the Penalosa Boxing Gym has been training with his father Titing in Manila.

“Excited ako sa laban, pangandoy namo ni nga dula para ma rated mi (I’m excited for the game, we want this game to be rated)” said the 21-year old Laurente.

Laurente is still 127 lbs. and has been in Binan three days now for quarantine.

“OK lang, quarantine mi dire Laguna (OK, quarantine I say Laguna)” said Laurentine.

He had sparred with undefeated Carl Jammes “Wonder Boy” Martin and Eduardo “The Nightmare” Mancito.

He is doing skipping rope to still keep in shape.

Laurente has been in top shape since the lockdown.

The Laurantes went to Manila last Jan. 25 and stayed at the gym of Gerry Penalosa in Paranaque City.

Laurente scored a unanimous decision over Boyce Sultan of Zamboanga last Feb. 8, 2020, at Barangay Apas Sports Complex in Cebu City.

Saulong, on the other hand, did not saw action last year but he was busy in 2019.

He first settled a technical draw with Jhunriel Ramonal of Laguna last Feb. 13 at Baras.

The 31-year-old Saulong then lost to Brock Jarvis of Australia by a unanimous decision for the vacant WBA Oceania and vacant IBF Asia Oceania super bantamweight title last Aug. 31 in Australia.

In his third and last outing, Saulong lost by a technical decision to Alie Laurel for the vacant WBO Oriental super bantamweight title last Nov. 10 in Gumaca.

But he earlier beat Laurel by a unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC International bantamweight title at EXPO Garden Hotel in Kunming last May 8, 2015.

Saulong, however, failed to win the IBF World super bantamweight title to Japanese Ryosuke Iwasa last March 1, 2018, in Japan.

Saulong then won the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation super bantamweight title by retirement over Junjie Launza last Dec. 28, 2018.

The Laurente-Saulong bout top bills the “Suntok Laban Sa COVID” boxing event under the Gerrypens Promotion of former champion Gerry Penalosa.