NEGRENSE boxer Aston Palicte aims for another world title as he is set to battle Puerto Rican Jose Martinez in a WBO super flyweight belt eliminator match on Jan. 31 at the Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine, California.
The winner of the Palicte-Martinez match will earn the right to challenge the holder of the WBO super flyweight belt, which will be contested among Filipino Donnie Nietes and Japanese Kazuto Ioka on New Year’s Eve.
If ever he will be successful, Palicte – a Bago City, Negros Occidental native – will earn his second world title match after his previous world championship Nietes ended in draw last September in California.
“I am happy to have the opportunity to fight for another world championship,” Palicte said. “I have worked very hard to get here and I want to give the fans the best fight possible.”
Martinez, for his part, said he is thankful on the opportunity to move closer to a world title clash and promised to do his best to pull off a huge victory against his Negrense opponent.
“I want to thank God for this great opportunity,” Martinez said. “I feel excited because this is the most important fight of my career with a high-level boxer as Palicte. I will train really hard to be in the best condition. We are really focusing on getting the big win.”
The 27-year-old Palicte is set to parade an impressive 24-2-1 win-loss-draw ring record, including 20 stoppage wins, while Martinez had an unblemished 20-0-2 with 13 knockout wins./PN
