LORETO CONFIDENT OF MAKING 105 LBS. BEFORE TITLE FIGHT

Rey “Hitman” Loreto (right) hitting the mitts with trainer Joven Jorda at the MP Highland Gym in Manila. (Photo by MACK CANISIO)

FORMER world champion Rey “Hitman” Loreto is confident of still making the 105 lbs weight limit in challenging the undisputed World Boxing Association (WBA) world minimumweight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong on July 15 in Chonburi, Thailand.
Loreto (23-13-0, 15 KOs), a former International Boxing Organization (IBO) light flyweight champion is presently 112 lbs. and has been slowly reducing his weight now.
“Dahan dahan makukuha ko rin yung timbang ko,” said the 26-year old native of Davao City.
Loreto is already on a diet now and aims to get the 105 lbs. a day before the official weigh-in on July 14.
“Ang kinakainin ko na lang ay kamote, tinolang manok, konteng kanin at prutas,”(I now only eat potato, chicken soup, small rice and fruits) said Loreto.
He is now training at the MP Highland Gym in Manila with his trainer Joven “JJ” Jorda.
Loreto has been sparring with light flyweight Jeronil “El Diamante” Borres (7-3-1) ever since he started training at the Highland Boxing Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet two months ago.
They will be flying to Thailand on July 8 to continue training at the newly-opened Thailand Heroes Center-Highland Boxing Gym in Bangkok of international promoter-matchmaker Brico Santig.
Loreto, a southpaw, last fought in August 19 when he scored a 3rd round technical knockout against Rungrit Sor Visetkit at the Bangkok University Thonburi Campus in Bangkok.
After losing by a 7th round technical decision to Benezer Alolod in their battle for the WBC Interational light flyweight title on March 16, 2013 in Manila, Loreto bounced back by capturing the interim PABA light flyweight crown via a technical decision in the 10th round on Pornsawan Porpramook on August 23, 2013 at the Siam Park in Bangkok.
Loreto followed it up by knocking out South African Nkosinathi Jovi in the 3rd round in their battle for the vacant IBO world light flyweight title on February 1, 2014 at Salle des Étoiles, Monte Carlo in Monaco.
Since then Loreto has never been beaten in his next five fights.
His opponent Niyomtrong, also known as Knockout CP Freshmart is also still undefeated with 15 straight wins and seven knockouts. He previously retained his title via a 5th round knockout in against Japanese challenger Go Odaira last March 1, 2017 in Chonburi.