Adones Cabalquinto is open to a Jay Solmiano clach
Adones Cabalquinto (13-0, 8 KOs) is the reigning Light Welterweight Champion of the Philippines after winning the national diadem on March 17 against grizzled veteran Dan Nazareno (16-9, 12 KOs) via a 12-round unanimous decision at the Hoops Dome, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu in a candidate for Fight of the Year.
After being declared the best 140-pounder in the Philippines, personalities from the local boxing scene have observed that the camp of former Philippine lightweight champ Jay Solmiano (13-2-1, 9 KOs) has been itching to put their boxer in as the mandatory challenger for Cabalquinto’s domestic crown.
These observations have been proven to be accurate and in fact Solmiano at present is indeed the mandatory challenger for the Philippine 140-lb. belt of Cabalquinto. There were even unconfirmed reports that Solmiano’s trainers were overheard telling their friends in the boxing community that Solmiano is a better fighter than Cabalquinto and their boxer would surely beat the current Philippine champ if they meet in the ring.
Pressed for his reaction on this recent observations and reports, Cabalquinto’s face lightened up and he appeared very excited to know that Solmiano seems very desperate to take his hard-earned title. Asked if he would be willing to defend his Philippine title to his fellow Filipino prospect, the Talaingod, Davao Del Norte native gladly welcomed the possibility of trading leathers with the 140-pounder from San Andres, Catanduanes but instead revealed his proposal in their future fight.
Realizing that owning a WBO regional title would guarantee a fighter a spot in the world rankings, Cabalquinto issued a challenge to Solmiano to face him in a WBO Asia Pacific showdown in the 140-lb. division, instead of the Philippine championship that he is now holding. Speaking in his native dialect, he said “Wala ko nahadlok anang Jay Solmiano. Fight ko ana nya bisan kanus-a ug bisan asa. Pero kung mag-away mi duha nga pareho prospect, ako tan-aw mas maayo tingali kung ang makadaug mahimong world-rated. Mao nga maayo pa WBO Asia Pacific belt na lang among awayan.” (I am not in any way afraid of fighting Jay Solmiano. I will fight him anytime and anywhere. But to face a fellow Filipino prospect like me, I think it would be very rewarding for the winner to land in the world rankings. So, I believe its best that we fight for the WBO Asia Pacific belt.)
Cabalquinto, 24, is managed by young boxing manager and promoter Joven Jimenez while Solmiano, 25, is handled by the tandem of equally young boxing managers/promoters Ryan Gabriel and June Camille Razon Baltazar.
“The Undertaker” and “Rapido” are like mirror images of each other as they both are 5′ 8″ southpaws at the prime of their boxing careers.
After winning the Philippine title, Cabalquinto fought 2 more times this year against the same opponent in Jaypee Ignacio in non-title ten-rounders winning both fights via unanimous decision, the first one last May 11 in Aparri, Cagayan and the second last August 16 in Mandaluyong City. On the other hand, Solmiano suffered 2 consecutive losses last October 4, 2011 to Japanese Nihito Arakawa via split decision in an OPBF lightweight championship in Japan and March 4, 2012 to Rey Labao via 1st round TKO in a Philippine lightweight championship in Cebu. Solmiano has bounced back from those losses by beating Thai Singdet Sithsaithong via 4th round KO last June 30 in Makati City and knocking out Alejandro Anas in the 2nd round last August 18 in Mandaluyong City.
Cabalquinto was an interested spectator inside the boxing venue when Solmiano beat Anas last weekend in Mandaluyong City. He may have watched his next opponent if his wish would come true.
Now, it’s up to Jay Solmiano and his team to stand up and accept the challenge or instead look at another direction.
http://www.boxingscene.com/adones-cabalquinto-open-jay-solmiano-clash–56250