Bacolod's Masskara Festival Got More Fun with "Fist of Glory" Double Header: Raquinel-Rosales, Sabillo-Omayao Oct 20 at SM Bacolod
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 02 Oct 2017
This year, the famous Masskara Festival in Bacolod has just got even more exciting with addition of "Fist of Glory," a double-header set to thrill boxing lovers on Friday October 20 at SM Bacolod. In one of the card's main features, unbeaten Nasipit warrior Jay-R Raquinela (7-0-1, 5 KO's) will battle tough Richard Rosales (12-4-2, 7 KO's) of Bohol for the vacant OPBF Jr. Flyweight 108 Lbs Title, and the golden chance to break into the WBC world ranking.
Raquinela, 20, and Rosales, 24, both come from scoring fast, devastating knockout wins.
Raquiniela ravaged unheralded Elmer Liboon in less than 3 minutes last May 27 in Bacolod, while Rosales victimized softened journeyman Rey Morano in Bohol on May 28. With both warriors feeling confident on keeping the momentum going, which of them will claim the win to take belt, ranking and kudos?
The equally exciting co-main event features former WBO Minimumweight world champion Merlito "Tiger" Sabillo (26-4-1, 13 KO's) swapping blows against the younger Crison "Cowboy" Omayao (22-14-4, 7 KO's) of the City of Valencia in the northern Mindanao Province of Bukidnon for the vacant Asia Boxing Federation (ABF) Jr. Flyweight 108 Lbs Belt.
The clash is crucial for both boxers. It's important for the veteran Sabillo who at 33 years-of-age wants to prove to the boxing world that he still has what it takes to compete at a world-class level; and vital for the very active, experienced and tough "Cowboy" Omayao who knows that adding the name of a former world champion to his list of victims immediately elevates his standing as a fighter.
The exciting "Fist of Glory" on Friday October 20 at SM Bacolod (parking lot area) is a joint effort of former GAB Chairman and current OPBF President Juan Ramon Guanzon, veteran man of boxing Naris Singwancha of Thailand, promoter Brico L. Santig of Benguet and the Hon. Mayor of Bacolod Evelio Leonardia.
BACOLOD'S MASSKARA FESTIVAL FUN FOR ALL
The MassKara Festival, in Hiligaynon Pista sang MassKara and in Tagalog Fiesta ng MassKara is an annual festival in Bacolod since 1980 with highlights held every fourth Sunday of October.
The Festival features a street dance competition where people from all over the country and abroad troop to the streets of Bacolod to admire skilled masked dancers gyrating to happy rhythms of Latin music.
Major activities during the Masskara Festival include the much awaited MassKara Queen beauty pageant where the cutest women of the region compete for the coveted beauty title. There are also carnivals, drums, bugle corps competitions, food festivals, sports events, music concerts, agriculture trade fairs, garden shows, and other events organized every year, and this year 2017 activities includes professional boxing.
The author Carlos Costa of Panama is a boxing reporter, writer and photographer based in Cebu City, Philippines. Carlos Costa can be contacted by Whatsapp or Viber +639184538152, Facebook and email: carlos512@hotmail.com. "All For the Love of Boxing."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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