BLACKTOWN-based Filipino boxing import Robert Lerio takes on Australia’s Andrew Maloney, of Victoria, in defence of his Australian bantamweight title on Friday, December 18.
Maybe one last time in the bantamweight class.
The match is scheduled for 10 rounds at Town Hall in Malvern, Victoria.
Lerio is fighting for the title he captured by split decision over Australia’s Jason Cooper in April 2012, and defended it successfully against Brad Hore by knockout in the second round in April 20, 2013.
He unsuccessfully challenged Cooper, this time for the Australian super-bantamweight championship, in November 30, 2012
Lerio was again unsuccessful in a challenge for the Australian super-bantamweight title in August 7, 2015, this time held by Ibrahim Balla.
“I had been having difficulty fighting as a bantamweight,” Lerio said. “Making the required bantam weight has been a struggle for me.”
The fight against Maloney may be Lerio’s last as a bantamweight.
It should not be much of a task for the Filipino, however, because of his perceived advantage as the more experience fighter: He has gone through 220 rounds of boxing in his career, against Maloney’s 14 rounds.
Lerio is older at age 29. Maloney is 24.
But Lerio’s record has not been impressive, losing 22 bouts (6 by KO) and winning 16 (6 by KO), with 1 draw. Maloney has fought only four bouts but won all four, two by KO.
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PICTURE:
ROBERTO LERIO as the newly crowned Australian bantamweight champion in 2012.
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