MANILA – Richard Claveras of the Philippines will aim for the WBA Oceania super flyweight championship when he faces unbeaten Andrew Moloney of Australia on Saturday at the Malvern Town Hall in Melbourne, Australia.
A native of Silay City, Negros Occidental, Claveras will have his first title flight in the super flyweight division after previously winning OPBF and WBC titles in flyweight and light flyweight classes, respectively.
Claveras, 28, admitted being the underdog but said he will do his best to pull off an upset – aside from adjusting with the 12-degrees Celsius temperature in Australia.
“Alam ko po na medyo paborito iyong kalaban ko but gagawin ko ang best ko,” said Claveras, who arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday. “Kailangan ko rin na maka-adjust sa panahon dito dahil mainit sa Pinas.”
Claveras’ trainer Felix Tanamor said he believes the Negrense fighter has the tools to pull off an upset, owing to his wide ring experience since he turned into a professional boxer in 2012.
“May chance naman (na maka-upset),” said Tanamor, a former flyweight boxer. “Bukod sa experience niya simula noong maging professional boxer siya, matibay rin ang punching power niya.”
Claveras will parade an impressive 18-3-2 win-loss-draw record including 15 victories by way of stoppages while Moloney, 27, has an unblemished 16-0-0 card with 10 knockout wins./PN
