LIBRANZA NOW READY TO CHALLENGE IBO WORLD CHAMP IN SOUTH AFRICA

Undefeated Genisis “Cobra” Libranza (right) and trainer Raides “Nonoy” Neri at the MP Davao Gym in Davao City. (Photo by LITO DELOS REYES)

FILIPINO challenger Genisis “Cobra” Libranza is now ready to fight undisputed International Boxing Organization (IBO) world flyweight champion Moruti “Babyface” Mthalane on April 28 at Cape Town in Western Cape, South Africa.
“Ready na ko (I’m ready now),” said the undefeated Libranza in an interview at the MP Davao Gym in Davao City last Saturday.
Libranza (11-0, 8 knockouts) will be flying on April 24 to South Africa from Manila together with chief trainer and manager Raides “Nonoy” Neri.
“Excited na ko sa akong unang laban sa gawas. Tan-aw nako my power ang kalaban. (I’m now excited for my first fight abroad. I think my opponent has the power),” said the 23-year old Libranza.
“I’ve been studying his moves and style by watching his past fights of Youtube,” said Libranza, a native of Bayugan, Agusan del Sur.
Mthalane has an impressive ring record of 32 wins with 21 knockouts against only two losses, both knockouts, and no draw. However, Mthalane has not been on the ring for more than a year now.
Mthalane last fought and won via a 9th round TKO on Renz Rosia last Dec. 12, 2015 in South Africa to keep his IBO world flyweight crown in his second title defense.
“Dugay siya na standby. Kaya medyo lamang ta ana,” said Neri.
Libranza, on the other hand, previously scored a 3rd round technical knockout against slugger Ronerex Dalut, who has been forced to retire from boxing due to a broken jaw after the fight held Dec. 17 at the Robinson’s Place in General Santos City.
Libranza also stopped former Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) light flyweight champion Jetly Purisima in the 3rd round last June 4 at the Almendras gym in Davao City.
Libranza is now only weighing 114 lbs., which is only two pounds over the required weight limit.
“Okay lang na siya kay mag biyahe pa man me ug 15 to 18 hours,” (That’s just okay because we will still be travelling for 15 to 18 hours) said Neri.
Neri is confident that Libranza will make the 112 lbs. by just eating the proper food like fruits and limiting his water intake.
“Nasa proper diet siya at makukuha nya ang timbang nya pagdating namin doon sa lugar (He’s in a proper diet and he will get the weight upon our arrival in the place) said Neri, who is also the dietician and one of the Filipino assistant trainers of 8-time world division champion Manny Pacquiao.
Libranza still had a workout with Neri at the MP Davao Gym last Saturday.
“More on speed na lang kami ngayon,” (It’s now more on speed) said Libranza, who now has a total of more than 100 rounds of sparring since he started training for almost three months already.
(Photo by LITO DELOS REYES)