Locked and Loaded: Duno Ready for Mexico’s Sanchez in Second US Fight

A few months ago, Filipino boxer Romero "Ruthless" Duno debuted in the United States (US) in style when he scored a sensational second-round knockout win over a highly touted opponent.

On Sunday, September 24, the hard-hitting Duno will try to prove that the resounding win was no fluke as he battles Mexican fighter Juan Pablo Sanchez in an eight-round junior lightweight duel at The Forum in Inglewood California.

Duno (14W-1L-0D, 13KOs) is gunning for a win against Sanchez (30W-13L-0D, 14 KOs) that will bolster his bid of contending for a world title.

"Every fight is very important for me because every fight is a stepping stone for my dream to become a world champion," said Duno, who knocked out erstwhile unbeaten Chimpa Gonzalez in his US debut last March 10 in Los Angeles.

That win over Gonzalez paved the way for Duno's signing with Golden Boy Promotions of boxing great Oscar De La Hoya.

"I'm always  ready  to fight for a world title. If the Golden Boy give me that chance, there's no reason to say no," said Duno.

The Duno-Sanchez duel will be one of the undercards of the Jorge Linares-Luke Campbell showdown for the WBA lightweight title.

In the weigh-in, Romero Duno tipped the scales at 134 pounds, while Sanchez weighed 133.6 pounds.

"This fight is going to be different from my previous fight against Chimpa. They got different styles but we have a good game plan against Sanchez. I trained hard for this and we did well in the training camp," said Duno, who is trained by former Filipino world champion Rodel Mayol.

Duno is expecting a "good fight" against Sanchez, saying he will go for a knockout when the opportunity presents itself.

As he inches closer to realizing his dream of becoming a world champion, Duno thanked the people who have been giving him the needed support.

"I want to thank boss Dexter Tan (chief finance officer of Sanman Promotions), boss JC Manangquil (Sanman's chief executive officer) and to the only woman who believe I can do it madam Tata Ng Tan. They are the ones responsible for the things that I have achieved," Duno said.