Khan sparmate ready for title shot

MANILA, Philippines - Former Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation and Pan Asia Boxing Association lightweight champion Dennis Laurente is aching for a shot at the world title anytime, anywhere before he gets too old.

Laurente, 33, has been a pro since 1994 and recently sparred 18 rounds with WBA lightwelterweight titleholder Amir Khan during the Englishman’s visit to the country. He more than held his own against Khan and drew raves from onlookers, including trainer Freddie Roach.

But Laurente said challenging Khan is out of the question as he has outgrown the 140-pound division. Now, he’s campaigning as a full welterweight where the champions are the WBC’s Andre Berto, the WBA’s Vyacheslav Senchenko, the IBF’s Jan Zaveck and the WBO’s Manny Pacquiao.

“I’m bigger than Amir,” said Laurente.

“When we sparred, I put a lot of pressure on him. Medyo hirap siya sa akin. He would clinch and run. I didn’t feel his power. Kulang sa diin ang suntok niya. Malikot siya. He has fast hands, a good left jab. He uses the amateur style and reminds me of Oscar de la Hoya. He has good footwork, side to side, back steps and goes in and out. Masipag siya at maraming suntok.”

Laurente said two unbeaten Filipino sparmates Jay Solmiano and Adonis Cabalquinto were sent home after two weeks of working with Khan. He and California import David Rodel took over.

Laurente said when he’s in the US, he trains at the Wild Card Gym. If Roach isn’t available, Buboy Fernandez or Jesse Arevalo watch over him. So far, Laurente has logged six fights in the US, winning them all, including decisions over Pacquiao sparmate Rashad Holloway and rugged Ghanaian Ben Tackie who once knocked out former IBF superfeatherweight champion Robert Garcia and went the distance with ex-world titlists Ricky Hatton, Kostya Tszyu, Sharmba Mitchell, Goyo Vargas and John-John Molina.

Laurente saw action in the Pacquiao-Margarito undercard at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington last November. He’s hoping to land a slot in the Pacquiao-Mosley undercard in Las Vegas on May 7.

“I’m ready to fight anybody,” said Laurente. “My manager (Johnny Elorde) is trying to get me in the undercard of Manny’s fight against Mosley. Right now, I’m rated No. 12 lightwelterweight by the WBC but we will request if I could be moved up to welterweight. I’m always in shape. If I get a call to challenge Berto, I’ll take it. I’ll even fight (Mark Jason) Melligen if I have to. I just want a shot at a world title before it’s too late.”

Laurente is coming off a sixth round demolition of former WBF welterweight champion Dondon Sultan in a Philippine 147-pound title bout in Naga last March 5. A body shot sent Sultan down for the count. Laurente hasn’t lost in his last 14 bouts. His record is 37-3-5, with 19 KOs. His only losses were decisions to Prawet Singwancha in Bangkok in 2001, Chikashi Inada in Tokyo in 2005 and Daudy Bahari in Jakarta in 2006.

“I know I’m not young anymore,” said Laurente, a native of Palompon, Leyte. “Time is running out. I live in a two storey, two-bedroom home on a 20 square meter lot in the Fourth Estate in Parañaque with my wife Jean and our daughter Leslie who’s now nine years old. I want a bigger house for my family. That’s my dream.”

Laurente said his biggest purse was $15,000 which he earned twice in a pair of Oriental lightweight fights against Inada in Japan in 2004 and 2005.

Laurente said he earns extra money teaching students how to box at a rate of P200 an hour at the Elorde Gym in Sucat. He takes home P60 out of the P200, averaging five students a day. His wife Jean adds to the family income working as a cashier in the gym. Their daughter who stands 5-1 and weighs 140 pounds is in school.

The oldest of five children, Laurente said he often sends money to his parents Avelino and Alicia, both unemployed, in Leyte. A brother Monico is an active prizefighter and another brother Pederito has retired from the ring and now trains Elorde’s son Mig. 

“I plan to fight until I’m 35 or 36,” said Laurente. “I have two to three more years of fighting left. I’ve traveled the world as a fighter. I’m not afraid of anyone. All I want is a title shot before I retire.”

Surely, challenging Senchenko – whose trainer is Roach – is an option. Berto and Zaveck are other targets. Pacquiao? Laurente said he has too much respect and admiration for the Filipino icon to even think of ever getting in the ring with him. Laurente deserves a title shot – if only Senchenko, Berto or Zaveck will give him a chance.