World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Flyweight champion Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong is set to leave for the United Sates on Sept. 4 along with his training team for the final preparation of his fight against Mexican and NABO flyweight champion Wilbert Uicab.

The Dapudong–Uicab bout is slated in Cancun, Mexico on Sept. 17.

Dapudong, 25, a shy farm boy known as the Barefoot Boxing Prince who shocked Mexican boxing when he knocked out former world No. 1 ranked flyweight Jesus Jimenez in the first round last June 19, will spend one week of training with coach Justin Fortune at the Fortune Gym in South Hollywood near Los Angeles before flying to Mexico on Sept. 12.

The fight against the hard-punching Uicab, called the “Hurricane” by his handlers, will be Dapudong’s first defense of the silver flyweight crown, a new title which replaced the WBC Interim Championships.

The bout would also serve as a tough test for Dapudong, which will determine whether North Cotabato’s first world boxing champion deserves the No. 3 Pound for Pound Filipino fighter title bestowed on him by boxrec.com, after boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr.

Dapudong, who stands 5’5 and is considered big for a flyweight, will be accompanied by his manager, former North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol and chief trainer Noli Piñol.

The team would stay at a flat provided by Pinols’ friend, Los Angeles-based Fil-Am nurse and Pacquiao friend, Jeff de Guzman.

International matchmaker Samson Gelloani and well-known US-based promoter Sampson Lewkowicz who are handling the business side of Dapudong’s career both said they are ining up the Mindanao-born fighter for bigger fights after Uicab.

“There are three names that we can mention right now: Wongjongkam Pongsaklek (WBC flyweight champion), Pingo Miranda (WBO flyweight champion) and Omar Nino (WBC junior flyweight champion),” said Gelloani who believes that Dapudong possesses the qualities of a great champion.

The unassuming and humble champion, also known to his close friends as “Bungisngis” because he is quick to laughter, could take on the three champions and come up with a great performance, according to his trainer.

Dapudong’s weeklong stay at the Fortune Gym is expected to enhance his endurance and stamina, especially in the expected hot environment in Mexico during the fight.

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