THE Philippines’  quest for world championship continues when fast-rising  lightweight Al  Sabaupan challenges Mexican power puncher  Marvin Quintero with winner earning the right to battle International Boxing  Federation (IBF) king Miguel Vasquez.

The 22-year-old Sabaupan, the Manny Pacquiao-look alike reigning IBF 135-pound titleholder expressed confidence of disposing off  Quintero  and do the country proud by contributing his name in the list of world boxing champion like his eight-division belt holder idol.

“Ngayong mabibigyan na ako ng pagkakataong lumaban sa world title, hindi ko na pakakawalan ito,” Sabaupan,  “Captain A” in the local boxing world and soon in the international fight community, vowed during  Friday’s SCOOP Sa Kamayan weekly session at the Kamayan Restaurant.

Sabaupan, who has an impressive unbeaten 18-0-1 win-loss-draw with 13 knockouts, said during the session, sponsored by Coca Cola Export, FILA and UNTV, he will be resuming his training in Baguio City where he used to conduct his workout until last   week at the Cooyesan Hotel’s Shape Up gym, the same place where Pacquiao has been doing his in recent fights.

“Gusto ko talagang maging katulad ng idol ko kaya ginagaya ko hindi lamang ang physical appearance nya kundi pati style ng paglaban nya,” the native of Libon, Albay who, like Pacquiao is a   southpaw and has grown a beard and moustache besides speaking softly, too, said.

Danny Anuran, brother of Sabaupan’s manager Elmer, who accompanied the boxer at Kamayan, agreed, saying, like Pacquiao, Sabaupan is a mixer with a big heart a pair of powerful hands and quick reflexes.

“Captain A has actually used to train in Baguio since last year in preparation for his aborted fight against Ricardo Dominguez scheduled sana bukas (yesterday), pero nakansel. Kaya babalik uli siya sa Baguio para doon ituloy ang paghahanda,” Anuran said.

“Pati dedication ni Manny, disiplina ay ginagaya na ni Al kaya sa tinign namin sa Saved by the Bell Promotions ay malayo ang marzarating nya,” Anuran said in   reference to the  promotion firm owned by his family, headed by brother Elmer.

Sabaupan is currently in deep preparation under the watchful eyes of veteran trainer Benjamin del a Pena at  the Touch Gloves Boxing Gym in Agoncillo, Batangas, where he is based today.

Although  IBF president Lindsey Tucker ordered the world championship eliminator to be held in March, Anuran said it could be staged later either here, in Mexico or Las Vegas.

Quintero is 25 years old and has a record 24-3 with 20 KOs and is ranked fifth in the IBF rating, while Sabaupan is a notch higher in no. 4.

Sabaupan won the IBF Pan Pacific crown on a third  round TKO of  Indonesian Heri Andriyanto last April 17, 2010 at Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.