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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, June 17, 2003

Limoz considers future as he defends title

By Baxter Cepeda
Advertiser Staff Writer

Teddy Limoz Jr., left, and Dustin Kim spar at Kalakaua Gym in preparation for their fights tonight. Limoz will face Wat Vor. Wutinun, while Kim will fight Orose Muengpimile in the co-main events.

Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Teddy Limoz Jr. is running out of time.

Limoz (9-1, 8 knockouts), the World Boxing Organization Asia Pacific Welterweight champion, will defend his title against Thailand's second-ranked welterweight Wat Vor. Wutinun (11-3, 8 KOs) in a 12-round fight today at the Hawai'i Ballroom of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel with hopes that a win will lead to a shot at the world title soon.

"If nothing happens within the year, I might just retire," said Limoz, 35, who works in construction and trains at Kalihi Valley Gym. "I'm thinking about going into the Super Brawl."

Limoz, of Honolulu, said boxing is a hobby for him and he is still fighting because he owns the title.

Limoz added that he is confident going into the fight with Wutinun.

"In the end, as far as condition and strength, I think I will win," he said. "Also, I'm fighting at home. It's hard to beat a Hawai'i guy when he is fighting at home."

But he also knows the hometown advantage could be a disadvantage.

"Coming from a Third World country, he has nothing to lose," Limoz said. "Imagine the status he would get if he comes to America, beats an American in his home and brings the title back. They would treat him like a king, he would probably be set for life."

Said matchmaker Rick Rodrigues: "Teddy is prepared for this fight and he has been for quite a while. His state of mind couldn't be any sharper and he is fit and ready to go."

Rodrigues, who used to train Limoz, added that Wutinun is a good fighter.

"Wutinun holds his own," Rodrigues said. "I think it is going to be a great fight."

Limoz won the open WBO Asia Pacific Welterweight title over Thailand's Pinimit Sitaran on Aug. 20, 2002. He was supposed to fight for the title with Rey Pellonia of the Philippines, who was not granted his visa and is still unable to get it.

The Limoz-Wutinun bout is a co-main event in a five-fight card. The other co-main event is a scheduled 10-rounder between Hawai'i's Dustin Kim (18-5, 10 KOs) and Thailand's tenth-ranked featherweight Orose Muengpimile (11-3, 6 KOs).

Kim, who has fought mostly in California and Nevada, said he is looking forward to his homecoming.

Kim, who comes from the same camp as Limoz, is also physically and mentally prepared for his fight, according to Rodrigues.

Other fighters on the card with Hawai'i ties include brothers Jay and Jerry Saribay, Luis Parra, Melanie Bunao and Sarina Sojot.

The event is promoted by Tom Moffatt Productions.

What: Professional boxing

Who: Teddy Limoz Jr. (9-1, 8 KOs) vs. Wat Vor. Wutinun (11-3, 8 KOs) for Limoz's WBO Asia Pacific Welterweight Championship, 12 rounds; Dustin Kim (18-5, 10 KOs), Honolulu vs. Orose Muengpimile (11-3, 6 KOs), Thailand, 10 rounds, 126 pounds; Jerry Saribay (4-4, 3 KOs), Honolulu, vs. Detchrit Vor. Surapole (9-4, 3 KOs), Thailand, six rounds, 147 pounds; Sarina Sojot (1-0), Honolulu, vs. Melanie Bunao (pro debut), Honolulu, four rounds, 126 pounds; Jay Saribay (1-0), Honolulu, vs. Luis Parra (2-3), Los Angeles

Where: Sheraton Waikiki, Hawai'i Ballroom

When: 7:30 tonight

Tickets: General admission $25, ringside reserved $50 in advance; additional $5 at the door. Advanced tickets available at the Blaisdell box office, Foodland and Sack 'N Save. For more information or to order by phone call Ticketmaster at (877) 750-4400.