FORMER amateur standout Criztian Pitt Laurente faces his biggest test to date as he takes on one-time world title challenger Ernesto Saulong in an eight-round fight in the main event of Gerry Pens Promotions’ “Suntok Laban Sa Covid-19” show on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Biñan Football Stadium in Biñan City.
Laurente finally returns to the ring after his fight against Renan Portes in General Santos City on Nov. 28, 2020 was cancelled.
The 21-year-old Laurente showed a lot of promise in his last fight, which was already a year ago, after beating veteran former ALA fighter Boyce Sultan by unanimous decision in
Cebu City just before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in the Philippines.
Laurente had a very impressive campaign in the amateur ranks, wherein he was a member of the national boxing team and competed internationally in the AIBA Youth Boxing
Championships, Asian Junior Boxing Championships, Children of Asia International Games and the Asian Youth Boxing Championships.
He transitioned into the pro ranks in 2019 with an impressive first round knockout of Rey John Indita.
Saulong should be Laurente’s acid test. It will determine if he is indeed ready for the next level.
Saulong is an 11-year veteran that has challenged for a world title. He fought Japanese Ryosuke Iwasa for the International Boxing Federation super bantamweight belt but lost by unanimous decision in Japan in 2018.
Saulong is also a former World Boxing Council International bantamweight champion and owns a win over Alie Laurel and fought Jhunriel Ramonal to a draw.
The 31-year-old Saulong, however, is on a slump, losing his last two bouts against Brock Jarvis and Laurel, in a rematch.
Laurente is 5-0 with three knockouts, while Saulong is 22-6-2 with nine knockouts. (EKA)