DONAIRE, BAUTISTA IN BIG BATTLES TODAY
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Dec 2007
Top Filipino boxers are out to plunge into action today for their big assignments against Mexican opponents both here and in the United States, thus stretching the Filipino-Mexican rivalry in boxing.
DONAIRE DEFENDS VS MALDONADO
In Connecticut, IBF and IBO flyweight champion Nonito Donaire will defend his title for the first time against mandatory challenger Luis Maldonado of Mexico in a 12-round battle set at the world's largest casino, the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket.
The bout will be aired live starting 10AM by Solar Sports and GMA-7.
The Arthro Kontra Arthritis-backed Donaire easily made weight at 111 lbs while challenger Luis Maldonado also came in at 111 lbs at the official weigh-in for their 112-lb encounter today.
Donaire, thus, has successfully shut the mouth of detractors who keep saying he wont be able to make weight a month ago. The 25-year-old world champion held his training camp at the famed ALA Gym in Cebu.
"I'm out to prove that I'm a legit champion and not just a one-hit wonder. I've had the best training at ALA Gym, and I'm confident in beating Maldonado," said Donaire after the weigh-in.
If successful, Donaire plans to move up into the superfly or bantamweight division, where he expects to fight some of the big names like Cristian Mijares, Jorge Arce, Fernando Montiel or even a rematch with the loud-mouthed Vic Darchinyan.
Filipino fans are eagerly awaiting Donaire's fight this morning, as the good-looking Fil-American fighter looks for an impressive first title defense.
BAUTISTA IN MAKE-OR-BREAK FIGHT
Closer to home, Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista takes on another Mexican Antonio 'Barrio' Meza for the vacant WBO Intercontinental superbantam title in the 12-round mainer of the blockbuster "Payback" card put up by Third Force Promotions.
Both Bautista and Meza made weight easily in their first try at the scales during official weigh-in yesterday supervised by Arizona's Rudy Paz and Leon Panoncillo of Hawaii at the Gateway Mall, a stone's throw away from the fight venue the Araneta Coliseum.
Both Bautista and Meza came in at 121 lbs and flexed their muscles in front of the eager photographers who also had a field day snapping photos of the very gorgeous and sexy lady announcer Amy Hayes.
"I know this is a very important fight for me. I did my best already at training. God knows how to take care of me," Bautista said moments after the weigh-in.
AJ 'Bazooka' Banal and Mexican Jovanny Soto also both came in at 115 lbs for their WBO Asia Pacific Youth superflyweight duel set for ten rounds.
"I'm here to show that Banal can be beaten. There's always a first time, and he will get his first defeat from me," boasted Soto through an interpreter.
Also gracing the weigh-in were promoter Noli Eala of Third Force Promotions, GAB Commissioners Angel Bautista and Monju Guanzon, GAB boxing division chief Nasser Cruz, and Cebu City Councilor Jack Jakosalem who flew in to support the Cebuano fighters.
The rest of the fighters' weights are as follows: Milan Milendo 105 lbs, Jack Amisa 105 lbs; Michael Domingo 119 lbs, Anthony Mathias 118 lbs, Marron Sanchez 132 lbs, Jason Perater 132 lbs; Rocky Fuentes 113 lbs, Richie Mepranum 112 lbs; Joseph Omanz 119 lbs, Albert Cesa 118 lbs; and Juan Martin 'Bai' Elorde 130 lbs and his opponent 130 lbs.
The crowd was visibly mesmerized not just by the presence of the well-conditioned athletes, but also by the alluring Ms Hayes, who was classy in her body-hugging outfit.
After the weigh-in, Rudy Paz and Leon Panoncillo of the WBO conducted a highly informative rules meeting at the Gazebo inside the Araneta Coliseum complex.
Very early this morning, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Cebu City vice-mayor Michael Rama planed in from Cebu to give morale boost to the fighters. The powerful duo immediately proceeded to the Traders Hotel where the boxers are staying.
First bout starts 9AM today at the Araneta Coliseum, while the 'live' telecast over ABC-5 is set for 10:00AM. The Donaire-Maldonado bout will also be aired inside the Araneta Coliseum on giant screens put up by organizers.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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