“SINGWANGCHA” LORETO CALLS OUT TWO WORLD CHAMPS

Rey "Singwancha" Loreto (left) against Japanese Koji Itagki in a non-title fight held April 24 at Marina Hop in Hiroshima, Japan. — *Rey “Singwancha” Loreto (left) against Japanese Koji Itagki in a non-title fight held April 24 at Marina Hop in Hiroshima, Japan.*

By LITO DELOS REYES

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — Former Filipino world champion Rey “Singwancha” Loreto is now calling on two current world champions to give him a chance to challenge them.

Loreto, also dubbed as the “Hitman” from Davao City, is calling on World Boxing Association (WBA) miniflyweight champion Knockout CP Freshmart (13W-6Kos) of Thailand and World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight champion Ganigan “El Maravilla” Lopez of Mexico (28W-6L-0D-17 Kos).

Loreto is ranked WBA no. 1 mini flyweight contender and WBC no. 2 junior flyweight contender.

“Sana mabigyan ako ng laban sa world title sa dalawang division na ito,” (I hope that I will be given a world title fight for these two divisions.), said Loreto, in an interview Friday at the Highland Boxing Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Loreto, who has 22 wins, 13 losses, 0 draw and 14 knockouts, is the former International Boxing Organization (IBO) light flyweight champion.

The 25-year old Loreto had already relinquished the title after failing to defend it this year.

Loreto last defended it successfully by stopping Nkosinathj Jovi (24-3-0) via a first round technical knockout last March 22, 2015 at the Mdantsane Indoor Centre in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

However, until now he has not yet receive is purse from the promoter according to his manager Brico Santig.

Loreto even fought for that title defence despite have a fresh wound from his operation due to an acute appendicitis.

Loreto then went to Thailand to knockout Fapikat Twin Gym also in the first round in their non-title fight held January 22 at the Ambassador Hotel in Bangkok.

In his last outing, Loreto pummelled to submission Japanese Koji Itagki in 2:03 of the fourth round of a non-title fight held April 24 at Marina Hop in Hiroshima, Japan.

“We have to keep him active and always fit and ready to fight. That’s why he has another schedule next month probably in Manila,” said chief trainer Joven Jorda.

Loreto captured the vacant IBO world light flyweight title by also stopping Nkosinathi Jovi in the 3^rd round last February 1, 2014 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Loreto, a southpaw is also a former interim PABA minimum and light flyweight champion.

“He did not become immediately a champion. He worked hard for it to before he became a world champion. And I think he can still be a world champion again if given a chance,” said Santig.

Loreto first fought but lost for the WBC Youth World minimumweight and WBC International light flyweight titles before capturing the IBO World light flyweight crown.