OLIVA NOW IN HEAVY TRAINING FOR WBC SILVER TITLE-FIGHT

Jether Oliva (left) with new trainer Romeo “Dodong” Desabille

By LITO DELOS REYES

FORMER WBF Asia Pacific flyweight champion Jether “The General” Oliva is now in a heavy training for his championship fight for the WBC Silver flyweight title against Pakistani star Muhammad Waseem on July 17 at the Millennium Hilton Hotel in Seoul, Korea.

“Oliva’s preparation is going really good. We are currently in heavy training this week,” manager Jim Claude “JC” Manangqquil, chief executive officer of the Sanman Promotions in General Santos City.

Oliva is now training with former Thailand-based Romeo “Dodong” Desabille of Davao City.

“They are really connecting well,” said Manangquil.

Desabille is also the former chief trainer of the Panabo City amateur boxing team of Congressman Tony Boy Floirendo.

Manangquil said that the transfer of the fight venue from Singapore to Korea has no problem for them.

Oliva will leave on July 14 together with Desabille, Manangquil and Sanman secretary Ramon Falgui.

The 30-year old Oliva has a record of 23 wins with 11 knockouts against 5 loses and 2 draws while Waseem is undefeated with three straight wins all by KOs.

“I’m hoping for a positive result and (that we will) bring back the title that really belongs to the Philippines,” said Mananquil.

The WBC Silver flyweight title was formerly contested by Oliva’s stablemate Randy Petalcorin and Omari Kimweri last April 15 in Australia. But the fight ended in a controversial win by Kimweri after the referee did not saw the knockdowns made by Petalcorin against his opponent.

The winner between Oliva and Waseem is expected to rise in the WBC rankings, on the way to WBC flyweight champion Roman ”Chocoaltito “ Gonzalez.

The 28-year old Waseem is preparing in Las Vegas with popular and accomplished trainer Jeff Mayweather.

Waseem previously knocked out in the 6^th round Indonesian John Bajawa last March 19 in Seoul.

Waseem reportedly scaled in at 121 pounds during his WBC 30-day mandatory weigh-in at the famed Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas.

Oliva, on the other hand, is now already 116 lbs. as of today.

He recently won a unanimous decision on Jong Sabellina in a 6-rounder tune-up match held May 22 in Zamboanga Sibugay.