THREE WBO ORIENTAL BELTS AT STAKE IN SHIJIAZHUANG
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 21 Jan 2017
SHIJIAZHUANG, CHINA ? Hometown fighter Zhilei Zhang will be pitted against Peter Graham of Australia in a much anticipated clash for the vacant WBO Oriental heavyweight title.
Zhang is unbeaten in 13 fights, nine by KO, and all but two of his bouts were held in the United States. Graham (11-3-1,5KO?s) is making his second appearance here in China. Last November 28,2015 in Suzhou, he stopped Tanzanian Alphonce Mchumiatumbo in four rounds for the Asia-Pacific version of the WBO heavyweight belt. Graham is also a WBF heavyweight world titlist.
The WBO Oriental heavyweight crown has an interesting recent history. It was previously worn by Joseph Parker of New Zealand, who is now the WBO world champion.
During the official weigh-in held Friday afternoon, Graham stepped on the scales at 255.25 lbs while Zhang was at 253.25lbs. The press conference and weigh-in was held at the Hilton Shijiazhuang Hotel. Both boxers exhibited confidence during the Q and A held before the weigh-in.
The fights will be held at the Hebei Sports Venue in Shijuashuang and promoted by Jianfei Li of Shijiashuang Tangmaiwu Culture,Co. Promotional partner Dino Duva was on hand during the press conference held before the weigh-in.
Duva stated that the boxers fighting for the WBO regional belts in this card have the potential to be world champions.
The two other vacant WBO Oriental belts are in the light heavyweight and junior welterweight divisions.
Gasan Gasanov (12W-4L,10KO?s) of Russia and Fanlong Meng (9-0,6KO?s) of China also made weight for their regional clash ? Gasanov at 172.75lbs while Meng was at 174.75lbs.
Zhimin Wang (7-1, 3KO?s) of China and Aekkawee Kaewmanee (Patomsith Pathompothong 16-6,6KO?s) of Thailand had no trouble making the weight limit; Wang was 137.25 while Aekkawee was half a pound heavier.
Set to fight on the undercards are two female featherweight boxers ? Dasha Shevchuk of Russia and Yu Jijing of China and two more male pairs ? junior welterweights Lin Chunlei and Yang Zeijang and featherweights Kevin Asmat of New Jersey vs Said Fahdafi of Indonesia.
The bouts will be officiated by the Professional Boxing Commission of China (PBCC). The WBO regional title bouts will be supervised by WBO VP for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo.
Top Photo - Aussie Peter Graham with his belts during the customary staredown against Zhilei Zhang of China. They will fight for the vacant WBO Oriental heavyweight title.
Gasan Gasanov of Russia vs Fanlong Meng of China for the vacant WBO Oriental light heavyweight title
Zhimin Wang of China vs Aekkawee of Thailand for the vacant WBO junior welterweight title
WBO VP for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo, WBO As-Pac member Liu Ding Wei and U.S.Promoter Dino Duva.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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