By NICK GIONGCO
TOKYO – Ernesto Saulong kept tossing and turning in the hours leading to Wednesday’s official weighin for his crack at defending champion Ryosuke Iwasa’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-bantamweight crown.
You simply can’t blame Saulong, who will attempt to dethrone the heavily-favored Iwasa in their scheduled 12-rounder at the Ryogoku Sumo Arena on Thursday night.
A first-timer in a world title fight, Saulong was bothered by his hunger for food.
“Kapag walang laman ang tyan mo, talaga mahirap matulog,” said Saulong, who calmly stepped in at 121 ½ lbs during the pre-fight rites at the Hotel Grand Palace.
Iwasa, looking ripped and taller and genuinely imposing, tipped in at 121 ¾.
The odds are stacked heavily against Saulong, rated No. 13 by the IBF, a virtual unknown and perceived to be a sacrificial lamb intended to bolster Iwasa’s planned domination of the weight class.
But while just about everyone is saying that Saulong (21-2-1 with eight KOs) won’t go the distance with Iwasa (24-2-0 with 16 KOs), the Mindoro Occidental slugger feels he can defy the odds, silence his critics and earn fans.
“May laban tayo dyan,” said Saulong, who retreated back to his hotel room after consuming a meal made up of fruits, noodle soup and a little bit of rice.
“Hindi tayo mananalo kapag ‘di mo sya pasukin,” said Saulong, who spends most of his free time getting in touch with loved ones via his smart phone.
Saulong will have Joven Jimenez, the chief trainer of Jerwin Ancajas and Harry Gutana and doctor George Arvin Castro, in his corner while proving moral support is his manager, Engr. Ariel Araja and wife Miriam.
