Laurente battles Thai for vacant Asian Boxing belt

DENNIS LAURENTE is hoping Manny Pacquiao would finally fulfill his promise of fighting in his undercard as he tries to make the most of his remaining years in his boxing career and someday earn a shot at a world title.

The 36-year-old southpaw from Palompon, Leyte, will again try to move closer to his dream when he faces Thai upstart Manopnoi Singmanassak (10-15 with six knockouts) for the vacant Asian Boxing Council junior middleweight title on Saturday at the Midas Hotel and Casino Tent in Pasay City.

Laurente (44-5-5 with 25 KOs) said Pacquiao again promised that he will fight in the undercard of the Sarangani congressman’s 12-round non-title bout against Brandon Rios on November 23 in Macau if he beats the 19-year-old Singmanassak.

“Hopefully, I can get that chance to fight for a world title. I am also aiming to win for me to get back in the World Boxing Council rankings,” said Laurente in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

Pacquiao has promised Laurente an undercard fight thrice.

Laurente said he trained for six weeks and boxed close to 80 rounds in preparing for his fight against Singmanassak. He and trainer Federito Laurente, his younger brother, however, are clueless on the Thai’s fighting style.

“We worked double time during my training since we have no idea on how my opponent fights. We’re not sure if he [Singmanassak] is an attacking or defensive type of a fighter,” Laurente said.

“Good thing my sparring partners have different fighting styles. All I have to do now is adjust on his style during the fight. I have to be smart against him.”

The Laurente-Singmanassak bout is one of the four fights in a quadruple main event of the War at The Casino: Philippines vs Thailand, which is part of Johnny Elorde Management International’s Boxing Kontra Droga project.

Juan Miguel Elorde (12-1 with four KOs), who is also a chef by profession, opens up the quadruple main event when he takes on Thai No. 5 Pinsanuthep Kiatchaiyong in an eight-round bout.