KENNETH Llover’s manager, Gerry Peñalosa, is laying down the fast track for his prized protégés crack at a world title shot, announcing that the Filipino bantamweight star will face South African Landile Ngxeke for the International Boxing Federation No. 1 rating on Oct. 26 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
“Llover will fight South African Landile Ngxeke for the No. 1 spot in the IBF bantamweight division on Oct. 26 in Kyrgyzstan,” Peñalosa said.
He announced the IBF-sanctioned eliminator shortly after the fighter stopped veteran and former two-time world champion Luis Concepcion of Panama in the eighth round late Sunday night at the Winford Casino and Resort in Manila
Llover, 22, is currently ranked No. 8 in the IBF bantamweight division while Ngxeke, 30, is No. 5 and sports has a record of 16 wins, eight by knockout, against one loss and one draw.
“Kapag manalo si Llover magiging No. 1 contender siya sa IBF bantamweight division, and possibly the mandatory challenger,” the former two-division world champion turned promoter said.
He said the possible rise of Llover through the division was made possible after Japanese Junto Nakatani, who holds both the IBF and World Boxing Council crowns, vacated both titles to move up to the higher weight division.
With the IBF title vacant and the Nos. 1 and 2 spots currently open, Peñalosa said that Mexico’s Jose Salas (No. 3) and Japan’s Takuma Inoue (No. 4) would be fighting for the IBF world bantamweight title also in October.
“Kung si Llover ang manalo sa October, puwede tayong magkaroon ng world championship in January or December, depende sa decision ng IBF,” said Peñalosa, confident that the boxer would prevail over the South African in the Kyrgyzstan capital.
“Stylist si Ngxeke, hit-and run fighter. May kumpiyansa tayo sa kanya kasi natalo na siya ng boksingero natin,” he said, referring to the South African’s lone loss.
His single setback was to Jay-R Raquinel, who won a second-round TKO at the International Convention Center in East London on Oct. 10, 2023 for the World Boxing Organization Intercontinental super flyweight title.
Bluewater owner and businessman Dioceldo Sy, who supports the boxer, said they would push through having the mandatory IBF world bantamweight clash in the country in the event Llover beats Ngxeke in October.
