Dave Apolinario should target a legitimate world title moving forward — analyst

Now that he holds a minor title, newly crowned IBO flyweight champion Dave Apolinario should look to snatch a legitimate world title, according to veteran boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino.

Apolinario, 17-0 with 12 knockouts, won the IBO strap with a first-round knockout over Gideon Buthelezi last week. Now that he had made a name on the international stage, Tolentino stressed that the prizefighter should look to win a world title from one of the more recognized sanctioning bodies, namely the WBA, WBC, WBO, or IBF.

“The challenge now is not to be contented with the IBO. He knows his real mission, he needs to snatch one of the four major world titles. I think he has an even chance against the slick Sunny Edwards. I like Apolinario in that fight,” Tolentino told Sparring Sessions LIVE.

The four major world titles in the division are currently held by Junto Nakatani, Julio Martinez, Sunny Edwards, and Artem Dalakian. In case Apolinario’s IBO title conflicts with the major sanctioning bodies, Tolentino says it would be better for the Filipino to just vacate the strap.

“Sometimes the problem with the major sanctioning bodies is they refuse to put in their rankings the champions of other organizations. Maybe down the road when the opportunity for a legitimate title arises, Apolinario would vacate the belt if IBO if it would only be a hindrance,” Tolentino said.

“If that IBO title prevents him from getting ranked among the four legitimate organizations, let go of that belt. It is not important. He has to go after the four. Go after a real belt.”

—JMB, GMA News