Broadcaster to IBF prexy Muhammad: Reinstate Denver Cuello as world challenger

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A broadcast journalist from Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) Aksyon Radyo Iloilo has appealed to International Boxing Federation (IBF) president Marian Muhammad to reinstate RP miniflyweight champion Denver Cuello as ?mandatory? challenger of IBF lighflyweight Ulises ?Archie? Solis who is booked to stake his crown against Filipino-American phenom Glenn Donaire on May 17 in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

In a letter dated May 1, 2008 sent to Muhammad in New Jersey City and furnished to the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), Jonavin V. Villalva, who is also Cuello?s family friend, stressed that their ?local hero? is ready for the world title fight.

Villalva wrote: ?I write in relation to reports that our local boxing hero, Denver Cuello, the Philippine minimumweight champion, has been scrapped as challenger of reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightflyweight champion Ulises Solis of Mexico and was replaced by Glenn Donaire on May 17 in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

?When it was first reported that Cuello will be fighting for the world championship, people in Cabatuan in Iloilo Province, Philippines where Cuello resides, celebrated like they have already won the world title.

?When we learned from Philboxing that he will no longer fight for the championship after one Michael Koncz ?created a noise? and questioned Cuello?s qualifcation as challenger, sadness and tribulation beckoned upon Cuello?s townmates, including the municipal officials led by Mayor Ramon Yee, who all dreamt of seeing their son catapulting into stardom in the world boxing arena.

?I, therefore, would like to make a most sincere and strong appeal in behalf of the people of Cabatuan town and the entire Iloilo Province for the reinstatement of Denver Cuello as mandatory challenger of Solis on May 17 or to face the winner between Solis and Donaire.

With a record of 13 wins and 6 knockouts against only 2 defeats, we believe that Cuello is ready and ripe for the world championship just like any other aspiring young fighters in the world today. Thank you very much.?