Limoz puts title
on the line tomorrow
In the age of alphabet soup championships, it is hard to get excited about the World Boxing Organization's Asia Pacific welterweight title.
But like anything else, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Teddy Limoz will put his belt on the line tomorrow at the Sheraton Waikiki Ballroom against Thailand's Wat Vor Wutinun. Limoz is headlining a card that includes Dustin Kim, Sarina Sojot and both Saribay brothers.
Asia Pacific title
Headliner: Teddy Limoz vs. Wat Vor
When: Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Waikiki Ballroom
Tickets: $25-50
The title makes Limoz a legitimate contender for the world championship he covets. But that isn't what gives the length of red velvet and gold plating its value. The belt's real worth shines in the eyes of Hawaii's children.
"The belt is an honor, something I have that nobody else has," Limoz said. "But it is mostly a step closer to what I want, a world title. I really don't think about it much, except when I take it to the gym and see kids' eyes light up. You can see it inspire them on the spot."
The 35-year-old's ultimate plan is for WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito, or any other world champion for that matter, to scan the list of easy targets and give him a Rocky-like shot at the big money. But as Limoz, who has only 10 professional fights after dabbling in kickboxing through much of his career, gets older and loses skills due to inactivity, the future of boxing in Hawaii means more and more.
"I'd like to go on and coach and teach," Limoz said. "I believe that Hawaii has the best fighters, they just lack exposure. I have an opportunity to do something for Hawaii."
Much like Waipahu flyweight Brian Viloria, Hawaii's only other title holder, Limoz says he fights for Hawaii's kids. He credits Viloria's rise to Olympic fame with bringing him back into the game, but figures he is in as much a position to bring the sport back as the NABF flyweight champion. The difference is that Limoz trains alongside the young dreamers every day while Viloria, who lives and trains in Los Angeles, is only able to come home for work or vacation.
"I had my chances to leave Hawaii, but I am a local boy and want to stay here," Limoz said. "I am homegrown, I drive in the traffic with everybody else. This is my home, I want to do my best in front of my people. When I fight in Vegas, I have nothing to lose, but in Hawaii I have everything to lose."
That is why Limoz says a fight with Kalihi counterpart Eric Alexander will never materialize, even though Alexander mentioned Limoz as possibly his next target in the Star-Bulletin in April. It isn't because he pities or fears Alexander, it simply does not fit in Limoz's scheme to revive boxing in Hawaii.
"It doesn't motivate me to fight another local boy," Limoz said. "Why would it? Say Eric (Alexander) and I are the top two fighters in Hawaii. When we get together half the crowd will be cheering for me and half cheering for him. One of us will win and it will cut the number of marketable fighters in half. I'd rather have the whole stadium cheering for both of us. If he wants to fight me for pride or something, we can go on an ultimate fighting show where there isn't any money on the line."
For now, Limoz is focusing on beating Wutinun tomorrow night to improve on his No. 14 ranking in the WBO. His title may not mean much to American fans, but it means plenty to Thailand's No. 2 welterweight.
"I know nothing about him other than he is a southpaw and from Thailand," Limoz said. "The last Thai guy I fought took a punch and kept on coming; he will be the same."
Unranked Dustin Kim (18-5, 10 KOs) of Waipahu will make his return to the islands preceding Limoz's fight, taking on Orose Muengpimile (11-3, 6 KOs) of Thailand. Kim fights mostly out of Nevada and last fought in Honolulu when he knocked out Harry Makawimbang in two rounds. Like Limoz, Kim is unbeaten in Hawaii. Unlike Limoz, Kim has lost four of his past five fights.
The rest of the card will feature super featherweight Jay Saribay in his second professional fight against Luis Parra (2-3). Saribay beat Travis Tandel by TKO on the undercard of Viloria's fight in April.
Saribay's younger brother, Jerry, was also on the Viloria card, but lost to John Lopez by major decision. Jerry Saribay will take on the card's third Thai fighter, Detchrit Vor Surapole, in an attempt to put an end to his three-match losing streak. The last time Jerry Saribay won was two years ago when he stopped Brad Hemming at Aloha Tower Marketplace. He did fight Limoz in a four-round exhibition in May 2002.
Female featherweight Sarina Sojot will make her return to the ring against Melanie Bunao. Sojot beat Nadine Salim on points in her debut in 2001.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. All bouts are subject to approval from the Hawaii Boxing Commission.
