‘ROAD WARRIOR’ BRAVES BITING COLD; PROMISES TO SHOW HIS BEST FIGHT

By Manny Pinol

Johannesburg, South Africa – Braving the biting cold of South Africa’s mid-year winter, IBO World Super Flyweight Champion Edrin Dapudong made a one-hour run and light exercises today in the Kempton Park of Johannesburg four days before he takes on challenger Lwandile Sityatha in East London on Friday.

“I feel good,” said the 28-year-old champion who is figuring in his 7th overseas bout since turning professional and who is not new to the rigors, the risks and the hardships of fighting in foreign lands.

After a short run this morning in the Kempton Park and body bending exercises, Dapudong, called a “Road Warrior” by South African trainer Gert Strydom, tipped the scale at 117 lbs., just two pounds over the weight limit

Hardly showing any ill-effects of the long 23-hour trip from Davao City via Singapore, Dapudong promised that the fight against Sityatha, a largely unknown South African fighter who sources say is a relentless attacker, will show a lot of improvement in his fighting style.

A notorious slow starter, Dapudong trained for the last two months under the watchful eyes of Raides “Nonoy” Neri, Manny Pacquiao’s assistant trainer who has emphasized a faster work rate for the champion.

“He will be faster this time,” Neri said.

Against a relentless attacker, Dapudong will be in for an exciting fight which is expected to be a toe-to-toe slugfest.

The title defense on Friday could be last of the “road fights” that the Road Warrior will be taking.

Now supported by religious leader Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, Dapudong hopes to stage his next world title fight in the Philippines.

Pastor Quiboloy, who is behind the Sonshine Sports Management which is handling the career of Dapudong now has promised to protect Filipino boxers from risky foreign engagements by staging world title fights in the Philippines.

Dapudong will have to hurdle his assignment against Sityatha.

The team will be flying down to East London later today where the pre-medical check-up and a media conference are scheduled tomorrow, July 15.

The official weigh-in is scheduled Thursday.