Lopez enjoys edge vs Thai challenger

July 28, 2010, 5:44pm

Silvester Lopez intends to use his height and reach advantages in his second title defense of the World Boxing Council (WBC) international super flyweight crown against Tiny Thai challenger Wandee Singwancha on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Pasig City.

“Di ako lalaban ng malapitan dahil maliit yong Thai at kakayanin kong lahat para manalo,” said the 22-year-old pride of Kabalasan, Zamboanga Sibugay in Wednesday’s press preview at the Elorde-Makati gym.

Standing at 5-foot-6, Lopez is four inches taller than the 30-year-old Thai prizefighter, who once held the WBC interim light flyweight title by beating Juanito Rubillar by unanimous decision in Bangkok four years ago.

Speaking through his Canadian assistant trainer David Trehanne, who has been living in Thailand for three decades, Singwangcha reiterated that he was unfazed by the Filipino champ’s advantages in the headliner of the “Bakbakan sa Elorde” card supported by Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares Jr., Burlington socks and Ginebra San Miguel.

“He (Wandee) is comfortable in fighting taller fighters so going up against Lopez is not a problem,” said Trehanne, who disclosed that his charge once fought a Japanese boxer who stood at 5-foot-7.

Trehanne added that while they have not seen any tape of Lopez, they have devised a game plan to take away the Filipino’s perceived edges.

“From what I have learned since we’ve been here, we now have a scheme against your boy, but we may have to make adjustments once inside the ring,” said Trehanne. “It all depends on how the fight goes.”