Ken Shiro vs Randy Petalcorin Preview Dec. 23rd
Undefeated Ken Shiro (Kenshiro Teraji) of Kyoto, Japan will be putting his WBC Light Flyweight Title on the line for the seventh time this Monday, December 23rd when he meets Randy Petalcorin of the Philippines. The 12-round bout comes from Yokohama and can be seen live in America on ESPN+. Shiro last fought in July when he stopped Jonathan Taconing of the Philippines in the fourth round. Petalcorin’s last outing was an eight-round unanimous decision over Reymark Taday in October.
Shiro vs Petalcorin Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Randy Petalcorin +1000
- Ken Shiro -5000
My Pick
The 27-year-old Shiro originally won his title from Ganigan Lopez via majority decision in May of 2017 in his 10th pro fight. He then defended it by majority decision over Pedro Guevara, a fourth-round stoppage of Gilberto Pedroza and then a first-round KO over Lopez in their rematch. He followed that up with a seventh-round stoppage over Milan Melindo before beating Saul Juarez by unanimous decision and then stopping Taconing earlier this year.
The baby-faced Shiro turned pro back in 2014 and has compiled a perfect record so far at 16-0 along with 9 Kos. He’s not really known as a big hitter with a current knockout ratio of 56.3 per cent but his power definitely can’t be underestimated especially when combined with his speed. Shiro stands 5-feet-5-inches tall with a reach of 64.5 inches. He’s boxed a total of 108 pro rounds and has been involved in a few close decisions in his career. He’s displayed a solid chin so far as well as good boxing skills. Fifteen of Shiro’s 16 opponents have had winning records so he’s jumped in feet first as a pro.
Petalcorin is a 27-year-old southpaw who climbs into the ring at 31-3-1 with 23 Kos to his name. He made his pro debut in 2009 as a 17 year old and has boxed 171 rounds since. He has pretty good power with a current knockout ratio of 65.7 per cent but has been stopped twice himself. He was halted in the seventh round by Felix Alvarado in a shot at the vacant IBF Light Flyweight Title in October, 2018 and was stopped in the second round by Marlon Tapales back in 2010.
His other defeat was a 12-round split decision to Omari Kimweri for the vacant WBC Silver Flyweight Title while his draw was an eight-round technical affair with Rene Patilano in 2013. Since turning pro Petalcorin has managed to win the Philippines Mindanao Professional Boxing Federation (MinProBA) Light Flyweight Title, the Philippines Boxing Federation (PBF) Flyweight Belt, the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Light Flyweight Title, the PABA Light Flyweight Championship and the interim WBA World Light Flyweight Crown.
Petalcorin has plenty of experience and is 5-1 with 5 Kos when fighting outside of his homeland but just 18 of his 35 fights have been against opponents with winning records including only one of the last six. That was Felix Alvarado and he was stopped in seven in that fight. Petalcorin is 5-feet-3-inches tall with a 64-inch reach so gives up two inches in height to Shiro and just half an inch in reach.
Prediction…
Shiro is a fine boxer with a fan-friendly style who’s 7-0 in world title fights with 4 Kos and 4-0 with 2 Kos against current and former world champs. Petalcorin has the edge in power but he’ll find Shiro has a pretty solid chin. I’m expecting a good competitive bout with Shiro hanging on to his title once again.
Shiro’s fighting at home and Petalcorin lacks power.
Play: Shiro -5000 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Ken Shiro betting • Randy Petalcorin betting