Llover collides with Argentine

Orient-Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight titleholder Kenneth Llover has been promised a big fight in March next year but he needs to ace a major assignment this Sunday in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Llover, undefeated in 15 fights with ten knockouts, battles Argentina’s Luciano Baldor.

Coming off a valuable experience last August when he had to go the extra mile in stopping former Panamanian world champion Luis Concepcion, Llover is looking forward to that high-stakes fight in early-2026.

During an open media workout held Friday at the Penalosa Sports Center in Parañaque, Llover gave a sneak-peek into his punching prowess.

His team, made up of chief handler and promoter Gerry Penalosa and top strength coach Alex Ariza, is leaving for the far-flung Central Asian destination Saturday via Emirates bound for Dubai.

The southpaw from General Trias, Cavite, was supposed to figure in a world title eliminator but talks bogged down and he had to settle for a tuneup with Kameda Promotions bankrolling this bout.

Still, Llover is not taking his next test lightly.

“Even if this is not a title eliminator, I am treating this as an important fight. Me and my team are not taking him for granted,” said the 22-year-old Llover.

Ariza, formerly Manny Pacquiao’s conditioning coach, said the fast-rising world-rated contender is more than ready.

In fact, just hours before the press preview, Ariza said Llover was pushed to the limit.

“I killed him,” Ariza said, stressing the intensity of the workout Llover had to undergo in the morning.

Baldor, his opponent next week, better watch out.