By Nick Giongco
Filipino world title challenger Ernesto Saulong doesn’t know the meaning of retreat. Nor does he know how to take a backward step.
“Matapang ‘yan…di umaatras ‘yan,” Laguna businessman Ariel Araja told the Bulletin-Tempo the other day just days before Team Araja leaves for Tokyo where defending champion Ryosuke Iwasa awaits for the first defense of the International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight crown on March 1.
“I am just wishing that Saulong succeeds in getting close because that’s our only chance at an upset,” admits Araja, an engineer by profession.
Saulong flies to Tokyo this Saturday with lead trainer Joven Jimenez, who will also act as cutman. Jimenez is also the cornerman of Jerwin Ancajas, the country’s newest boxing hero. – Nick Giongco
Araja is also tagging along a training assistant and a doctor to ensure Saulong’s well-being in the runup and during and after the fight.
Iwasa is making the first defense of the IBF 122-kb crown in the showdown that will take place at the Ryogoku Sumo Arena. Akihiko Honda’s Teiken Promotions is staging the fight that will also feature another world title fight in the main event.
