BOXING
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wollongong boxer Nathan Wright will be looking to climb into the world's top 100 with a victory over tough Filipino Jonel Alibio at Club Punchbowl on Saturday.
The tough southpaw will also be hoping to pick up the IBO Asia-Pacific title to go with the IBO Oceania strap that he claimed via a third round TKO over Brendan Saunders at the same venue in May.
While he's happy to bang with any opponent, Wright is expecting Saturday's bout to move well beyond the third round against Alibio who has 41 bouts and 264 rounds as a professional on his resume to Wright's 26 rounds in six bouts as a pro.
Should Saturday's bout go the scheduled 10 rounds it would be the furthest Wright has travelled with his previous longest bout an eight-round war with Issaka Issah for the NSW lightweight title in November last year.
Wright is confident several quality rounds with world rated featherweight Joel Brunker (28-1) has him primed to go the distance.
"I'm expecting it to go the distance," Wright said.
"He's had the experience and the rounds under his belt and he's only ever been stopped three times.
"Obviously I'll look for the stoppage if it's there but I'm training for 10 tough rounds.
"We don't know too much about him but apparently he's a bit of a banger so it'll be hands up head down and working hard and playing to our strengths.
"We've had some good sparring, been doing some 10 rounders with Joel Brunker.
"He and has a high workrate and the rounds have helped us immensely. I'm confident I can fight the full 10 [rounds]."
A victory would see a huge jump up the world rankings and put Wright well in the mix for bigger fights despite having just seven pro bouts.
"That's why we're stepping up," Wright said.
"I don't want to be fighting guys who are ranked 200-300 in the world.
"We wanted blokes who were top 100 and Jonel's 98 in the world and if you fight those guys and beat them and you can take their place. [A win] would really opening up some doors for us. The IBO world title is currently vacant.
"If we grab this we'll be chasing a top 30 fighter for our next fight."