By REYNALD MAGALLON
Jayson Vayson’s name is rarely mentioned when it comes to the talks about the country’s top boxers.
But he vowed to change that as he hopes to make the most of the big break he has been given after getting a shot at the unified World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organization (WBO) and The Ring minimumweight belts of Puerto Rican champion Oscar Collazo in Sept. 20 in Indio, California.
It was a surprising turn of event for Vayson who was actually preparing for a title eliminator fight against fellow Filipino Regie Suganob at the 108lbs division before his camp accepted the chance to challenge Collazo in the 12-round bout at the Fantasy Springs and Sports Casino.
But that meant that the 27-year-old Vayson, who was the top rated fighter by the International Boxing Federation in the junior flyweight division, will be moving down three pounds to face the undefeated Collazo.
Nicknamed the Striker, the unheralded Vayson is coming into his first world title fight with a 14-1-1 record with eight knockouts.
Collazo, who is packing a perfect 12-0 record with nine knockouts, should come in as the heavy favorite to the contest although the pride of Agusan del Sur is unfazed and determined to pull off a shocker.
“I want to thank everyone who was able to make this happen,” said Vayson.
“I am a fighter of few words, but I am ready to show the world that I am the best and am deserving of this opportunity. I will shock the world and represent the Philippines with pride,“ he added.
Collazo, however, isn’t stranger to Filipino boxers having added guys like Garen Diagan, Vic Saludar and current World Boxing Council champion Melvin Jerusalem to his victim lists.
The 29-year-old champion is also dreaming of winning the Jerusalem’s WBC strap, as well as Pedro Taduran’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) belt to become an undisputed champion in the minimumweight division.
ADVERTISEMENT
