Petalcorin's Camp Wants a Rematch with Ken Shiro

By FightnewsASIA

Australian man of boxing Peter Maniatis — co-promoter of Filipino Randy Petalcorin — wants to see his fighter in a rematch against Japanese star WBC Light Flyweight World Champion Ken Shiro.

The unbeaten Ken Shiro (17-0, 10 KO’s) stopped Petalcorin in the 4th round of their world title clash last December 23 in Yokohama, Japan, and Maniatis wants an immediate re-make. Will he succeed?

“Former WBA World Champion and Current WBC # 14 rated Light Flyweight Randy Petalcorin (31-4-1, 23 KO’s), was called in in a late four week notice to fight for the WBC Light Flyweight world title,” recalls Maniatis.

“Randy had only four weeks to get ready and to travel to Japan to fight the best Light Flyweight in the world: Ken Shiro… only four weeks.

“it was a big challenge that we could not knock back. It was a chance of a lifetime for Petalcorin to fight for the WBC world title,” added co-manager Peter Maniatis.

“Whats more, Randy Petalcorin had to travel from the hot summer in the Philippines to the cold winter in Japan to fight Ken Shiro.

“Plus, in those four weeks, Randy had to lose too much weight too quickly.

“And worst of all, upon arriving in Japan, Randy got a sick with the cold weather.

“Petalcorin had only a few rounds of sparring leading up to December 23rd. He was not well conditioned to fight 12 rounds against Ken Shiro,” explained Maniatis, who has been for long time associated with Petalcorin.

“The way Petalcorin fought Ken Shiro was not how Petalcorin normally fights.

“If Petalcorin has a proper ten-week training camp, we feel that he will give Ken Shiro a very good, tough fight. It would be totally different battle,” assured Maniatis.

“I have sent a email to the WBC head office in Mexico to explain that the four-week notice affected Randy’s performance.

“So, we hope that the WBC, as well as Ken Shiro’s promoter Mr. Akihiko Honda will give Randy Petalcorin a rematch, enabling the Filipino to show his true good form.