ArenaPlus ambassador Kenneth Llover makes weight, eager for high-stakes clash vs Michael Angeletti

NAGOYA, Japan – All systems go for Kenneth Llover.

This after Llover made weight on the eve of his International Boxing Federation bantamweight title eliminator against Michael Angeletti at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname here.

After going a little over the limit on the first try, the 24-year-old ArenaPlus ambassador finally tipped the scales at 117.8 lbs while Angeletti made it at 117.9 lbs during the weigh-in on Friday, June 5.

Now, the 5-foot-6 Filipino pugilist couldn’t help but feel excited to step into the ring against his fellow unbeaten Angeletti (14-0) and gain the right to face reigning champion Jose Salas Reyes.

“Nakita ko na po si Angeletti at alam kong handa siya. Mukhang preparadong-preparado siya,” said Llover, who stakes his immaculate 17-0 (12 KOs) record against his American foe on June 6.

“Pero tayo rin naman, sinobrahan namin ang ensayo dahil alam namin gaano kahalaga ‘to. Patibayan na lang talaga, kung sino mas gusto manalo.”

The goal remains the same for Llover: go for a knockout. But he is also making sure he is cautious enough against a tactical fighter like Angeletti, who also boasts of eight knockouts.

“Nasabi ko noon gusto ko knockout at hanggang ngayon pa rin naman. Kung mabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon, siyempre kukunin natin ‘yan,” he said.

“Bilang boxer, gusto mo talagang tapusin agad pero ‘di tayo magmamadali. Sundin lang game plan tapos tingnan natin kung ano ang ibibigay na pagkakataon sa loob ng ring.”

Llover is making sure the months of preparation will not go down the drain knowing what’s at stake in the titanic clash despite others saying he will have his hands full against his greatest challenge yet.

For Llover, it’s just the motivation he needed to get the job done.

“Malaking laban ‘to para sa akin. Ito ‘yung matagal kong pinaghirapan at ‘di puwedeng sayangin,” he said.

“May mga nagsasabi na mahirap, pero sanay naman tayo diyan. Mas lalo lang akong ginaganahan. Gagawin ko lahat para maiuwi ang panalo para sa bansa at lahat ng sumusuporta sa akin.”

There’s no doubt in ArenaPlus Head Erick Su’s mind that Llover is ready for the biggest test of his career.

“This is the kind of opportunity every boxer dreams about. We know what’s at stake, but more importantly, we know how much preparation and sacrifice Kenneth has put into getting here,” said Su, whose company is the No. 1 PAGCOR-licensed online sportsbook in the Philippines.

“He has earned this moment through hard work and discipline. Now that both fighters have made weight, all that’s left is for Kenneth to show the world what he is capable of inside the ring.”

A victory would move Llover one step closer to a world title shot and further cement his status as one of Philippine boxing’s brightest rising stars.

Show your support for Llover as he looks to keep his unbeaten record intact against Angeletti on arenaplus.ph