MANILA – Negrense Robert “Toto” Landero guns for the IBO world minimumweight title when he faces titleholder Simphiwe Khonco of South Africa on Sunday night in Umtata, South Africa.
The Pontevedra, Negros Occidental native said he hopes to end the match as quickly as possible knowing that winning via decision in Khonco’s hometown is close to impossible.
“Alam ko naman na kapag nasa abroad, lalo na sa South Africa, mahirap manalo (via decision) kapag hindi mo na-knockout ang kalaban,” Landero told Panay News on Friday night.
“Kaya hangga’t maaari gusto kong tapusin ang laban ng madalian,” he added. “Confident naman ako na kaya ko siyang silatin. Alam ko na may chance ako laban kay Khonco.”
This will be Landero’s second shot at a world title after failing in his first try earlier this year when he bowed via unanimous decision to WBA minimumweight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong of Thailand.
“Madami akong natutunan from that fight ko kay (Niyomtrong) na i–a-apply ko sa laban ko na ito para makuha ang world championship,” Landero said. “May mga pagkakamali ako noon dahil first time ko sa world title kaya naghanda talaga ako ng husto.”
The 22-year-old Landero is set to parade an impressive 10-2-2 win-loss-draw ring record with two stoppage wins. It will be the Negrense fighter’s second time to fight outside of the country.
Khonco, on the other hand, has an 18-5-0 slate with seven knockout wins. This will be the African’s third title defense of his world title and his second against a Filipino fighter after he defeated Lito Dante in June last year./PN
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