Mananquil targets title shot for Andales

Fresh from scoring a dramatic one-punch knockout win, the future looks bright for world-rated Ar-Ar Andales.

A day after Andales crushed Reymark Alicaba in a slugfest in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, his chief handler told DAILY TRIBUNE that he would expedite a coveted shot at the world crown.

Andales’ ninth-round knockout earned him the interim Philippine Boxing Federation flyweight title but JC Mananquil said that his fighter will go back to light-flyweight and focus on a possible world title attempt.

The stocky fighter who represents Quibors-SanMan Boxing Gym was behind on the scorecards when he pulled off the mighty feat, sending Alicaba down for the count using a well-timed right straight counter to the jaw.

It was an eye-popping ending as Alicaba was starting to repulse Andales’ rallies.

In fact, Alicaba scored a stunning knockdown in the first round using a tricky jab-jab-straight combination to send Andales, nicknamed “Asero,” down on the seat of his pants.

The victory raised the Samar-born Andales’ win-loss-draw record to 17-2-3 with seven wins inside the distance.