‘Pikaboo’ all set for rematch vs Reyes

Trench Tech’s Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez poses for a photo during yesterday’s weigh-in for the Pacific Xtreme Combat 52 that will be held tonight at the University of Guam Calvo Field House. He will face Tony Reyes in a bantamweight bout. (PXC 52 Photo)

Trench Tech’s Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez will be gunning for another win as he collides with Guam’s Tony Reyes in tonight’s Pacific Xtreme Combat 52 at the University of Guam Calvo Field House.

Alvarez will have a rematch against Reyes in the bantamweight division after the former’s original foe—Emilio Urrutia of Miami—got injured.

“My original opponent got injured so now I’m set to face the very first guy I fought in PXC, Tony Reyes. I beat him last time on the feet by out striking him, so he may want to take me down this time around,” said Alvarez on the eve of his fight and after making the 135lb-weight limit in yesterday’s official weigh-in.

“I know my hands are much quicker and powerful so I will use my boxing. I am going to use less kicks in case he does want to take me down,” Alvarez added.

The Trench Tech fighter dueled Reyes more than two years ago (Aug. 9, 2013) and won via unanimous decision during his debut in PXC (38).

Counting his victory against Reyes, Alvarez holds an 11-3 win-loss record, absorbing his third defeat last year at the hands of Japan’s Yutaro Muramoto via unanimous decision in PXC 50.

He will have his first fight of the season and he trained for about three months to prepare for his PXC return after missing PXC 51.

“I’ve been training and prepping for about three months. I did a lot of boxing and even went to the Philippines for two and a half weeks to critique my striking. I had a great and stress free camp especially since I moved back up to 135lbs,” Alvarez said.

“I’m super excited to showcase my upgraded skill set. I’m very confident in my ability to win, I did beat Tony before and although it’s been a long time I know I’m still the better fighter. I’ve trained hard and smart this camp. I know I’ll be ready for whatever comes my way at PXC 52. He’s a good fighter so I’m excited to have an action-packed fight just like the first time,” he added.

Alvarez is one of the two Saipan fighters who will see action in PXC 52. The other one is Jordan Manglona, who will be challenging Scotty Eclavea in the flyweight bout. Manglona is two pounds under the weight-limit after tipping the scale at 123lbs.

Manglona and Alvarez are part of the eight supporting bouts to the main event that will feature Guam’s Roque Martinez and Japan’s Takaaki Oban for the heavyweight bout. In the semi main event, it will be Guam’s Trevin Jones against California’s Jeremiah Labiano.