Onggocan Battles Martin Saturday in Germany
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 10 Aug 2017
Filipino Flyweight Roberto "El Rapido" Onggocan (R) is set to clash in a 10-rounder rumble against undefeated German prospect "The Comet" Mirco Martin (9-0, 5 KO's) this Saturday August 12 in Saarbr?cken, Saarland, situated next to the French-German border.
The 21-year-old Onggocan - born in the historic City of Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte - departed for Incheon, Korea, en route to Frankfurt, Germany. The pinoy warrior left from NAIA Terminal 1 Wednesday night (Aug 9) together with his experienced coach Dino Olivetti, 43, of Bi?an City, Laguna, head of the popular Olivetti Boxing Gym.
Departing Wednesday late night in such a long journey could mean that the Filipino team will not have that much time to adjust to German time as weigh-in is schedule for tomorrow Friday. Germany is on Central European Summer Time (CEST) UTC +2 while Philippine Time (PHT) is UTC +8. Six hours difference.
But the Pinoy is indeed a tough lion-heart warrior and he is well-motivated for his Saturday's match-up against the German Mirco Martin, a clash that will be Onggocan's second battle abroad this year.
Last January "El Rapido" flew to Indonesia to prescribe a rough beating to local hard-striking Indonesian Iwan Zoda (13-2-1, 12 KO's). The battering lasted seven rounds till the TKO was declared, a success for the young pinoy which seems to suggest that he can focus and perform exceptionally well in combat in hostile territory.
In his last duel last June, the quick Robert Onggocan (9-1, 5 KO's) stopped Marjun Pantilgan in round 9 to retain his red-and-gold IBF Youth flyweight belt, and now Onggocan targets Martin in Germany.
Filipino boxing fans stand fast with Onggong, and pray that the Pinoy southpaw will pull the really cool win.
On the opposite corner will be the German Mirco Martin, who comes from dismantling certifiably Richard Voros (6-44, 1 KO) last March. This boxer Voros is another one of the series of patsy boxers that Mirco Martin has faced since turning pro 3 years ago. Martin's promoter is being extra careful choosing his opponents.
Interestingly enough, Mirco Martin, who is German, has never fought another pro German boxer. All his nine opponents have not been Germans nationals (four Hungarians, three Georgian boxers plus two fighters from the Czech Republic). Mirco Martin is yet to face a fighter of note, Onggocan is the most important.
Indeed, the Pinoy Onggocan is the toughest challenge so far for the 25-year-old Martin. Though rough for Onggocan is that he faces a boxer in his own backyard with the crowd cheering for his opponent's attacks.
Robert Onggocan and coach Dino Olivetti Wednesday night at NAIA on their way to Frankfurt.
Also rough for Onggocan is the fact that we will arrive in Germany today (Thursday), then one night sleep and weigh-in tomorrow. That is tough. But if someone can do all of this and achieve success is Onggocan.
The Martin vs Onggocan promises to be an exciting match of will and talent with both young warriors aiming for victory, the winner advancing his boxing career.
The Martin vs Onggocan fray is the main event of the evening and has been announced to be for the "German International Flyweight Title." Three more fights in the lightweight and welterweight division complete the card with the first bout starting at 7 PM.
Tickets for this Aug 12 evening of boxing at Fischbachhalle with a capacity of 800 spectators cost 20 and 25 euros. A seat in the front row at the ringside costs 80 euros.
The author Carlos Costa of Panama is a boxing writer and photographer who has reported from amateur boxing in Cuba to mega fights in Las Vegas and the MSG, to world title fights in Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and more. For boxing things, you may contact Carlos Costa. Email: carlos512@hotmail.com cellphone: +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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