Daily Tribune
Streaking super-bantamweight Mike Plania, one of the country's leading world title hopefuls, inches closer to a shot at the big time when he meets undefeated American Ra'eese Aleem this Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) in Los Angeles.
Rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization, Plania's clash with Aleem will have the North American Boxing Organization plum on the line.
Most importantly, a win by either fighter will expedite a chance to vie for the world crown.
Parading a 26-1 record with 13 knockouts, Plania has been based in the United States the last few years.
Aleem, sporting a 19-0 ledger with 12 knockouts, will be the Filipino's biggest threat so far although the General Santos City-born puncher is upbeat about his chances given his edge in experience.
The Plania-Aleem duel will be held underneath the heavyweight bout starring Andy Ruiz of the United States and Luis Ortiz of Cuba at the Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center).
A victory will propel Plania towards a stab at WBO 122-lb champion Stephen Fulton, an idea that pumps up Plania to the max.
"I really thank God for another big break in my career. It's few steps away from my shot at a world title. I cannot afford to lose this and I am going all-out to win this fight," Plania said.
"Aleem is a technically superb fight. It will not be an easy fight. But I have the experience advantage. I have the hunger factor. I want the Philippines to have another world champion and after (Dave) Apolinario it will again come from Sanman Stable. I can't wait to step on the ring and get it on."
Like Apolinario, who recently electrified the African boxing scene after winning a world title vi a first-round knockout, Plania also fights under JC Mananquil's Sanman stable.
