The fight is on between Kenneth Llover and Michael Angeletti.
By Luis Fabregar

MANILA—Filipino boxing prospect Kenneth “The Lover Boy” Llover successfully made weight ahead of his highly anticipated showdown against American contender Michael Angeletti in their 12-round IBF Bantamweight Title Eliminator scheduled for Saturday at the Aichi Sky Expo in Nagoya.

Llover initially tipped the scales at 118.4 pounds on his first attempt, slightly over the bantamweight limit.

However, the Filipino quickly shed the excess weight and returned to the scale, officially weighing in at 117.8 pounds on his second try.

Angeletti, meanwhile, came in comfortably under the limit at 117.5 pounds, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle with a world title opportunity hanging in the balance.

"Nakita ko na po si Angeletti at alam kong handa siya. Mukhang preparadong-preparado siya," said Llover, who stakes his immaculate 17-0 (12 KOs) record against his American foe.

"Pero tayo rin naman, sinobrahan namin ang ensayo dahil alam namin gaano kahalaga 'to. Patibayan na lang talaga, kung sino mas gusto manalo."

Llover vowed that he will not bring the match to the full distance.

"Nasabi ko noon gusto ko knockout at hanggang ngayon pa rin naman. Kung mabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon, siyempre kukunin natin 'yan," he said.

"Bilang boxer, gusto mo talagang tapusin agad pero 'di tayo magmamadali. Sundin lang game plan tapos tingnan natin kung ano ang ibibigay na pagkakataon sa loob ng ring."

The winner of the eliminator will become the mandatory challenger for IBF Bantamweight World Champion Jose Salas Reyes of Mexico.

Also drawing attention during the official weigh-in was former Filipino world champion John Riel Casimero, who successfully made weight at 123.4 pounds for his scheduled 10-round catchweight bout against Mexican veteran Luis Nery.

Nery, however, failed to make the agreed 124-pound limit after weighing in at 127.4 pounds—3.4 pounds over the contracted weight.

Despite the discrepancy, the bout is still expected to proceed pending final agreements between both camps.

Following the significant weight miss, reports indicate that the Japan Boxing Commission is expected to impose sanctions on Nery after the fight, including a potential ban from competing in Japan.

The former world champion will also be subject to a fight-day rehydration restriction and must not exceed 134 pounds during the official weigh-in on fight day.

With both main attractions now cleared for action, all eyes turn to Aichi Sky Expo as Llover looks to take the biggest step of his career and move within touching distance of an IBF world title shot.

For the unbeaten Filipino contender, victory on Japanese soil would not only preserve his momentum but could also place him among the next generation of Filipino fighters poised to carry the country's proud boxing tradition onto the world championship stage.