First Thrilla in Davao on June 15
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 20 May 2019
Johnson (L) and Farah (R).
DAVAO CITY ?- The first heavyweight title fight in Davao City will be held on June 15 dubbed as ?Thrilla in Davao? featuring Ronald Clyde ?The American Dream? Johnson of United States against Saul ?The Phoenix Assassin? Farah of Bolivia for the vacant Global Boxing Organization heavyweight title.
The 34-year old Johnson (15W-1L-0D) has been waiting on the wings for an opportunity to stake his claim as a future world titlist.
?Johnson is not a pushover. He was the USNBC light heavyweight championship in 2009 over Bill Bailey,? said Rey Rodis, chairman of the RED Boxing Intenational.
?But he cannot take his opponent for granted. He needs to have a definite fight plan if he wants to win?, said Rodis.
The 36-year old Farah (69W-23L-3D, 60KO) has won the WBC Latino heavyweight and the Bolivian cruiserweight championship.
?His (Farah) style is almost like Mike Tyson who comes surging forward to put down his opponent, the earlier the better,? said Rodis.
It has been 44 years following the 1975 Thrilla in Manila heavyweight contest held in the country?s capital during the Marcos years.
The ?Thrilla in Davao? is a 54-round boxing extravaganza presented by the RED Boxing in cooperation with the city government. (Lito delos Reyes)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia: Ready or Not
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 20 Apr 2024Ryan Garcia Misses Weight for Haney Fight
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Apr 2024Golden plans to celebrate Thrilla
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 20 Apr 202423-Time National Amateur Champion Nathan Lugo Makes Pro Debut Tonight in Atlanta
Sat, 20 Apr 2024ALA keeps on punchin’
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 19 Apr 2024Biggest Gainers, Losers in the East
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 19 Apr 2024WBC Presents "Tamaulipas" Belt to Canelo-Munguia on May 4
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 19 Apr 2024Ronny Rios Fighting For Final Chapter In Boxing Career
Fri, 19 Apr 2024DEVIN HANEY VS. RYAN GARCIA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 19 Apr 2024Filipino cue master Richard Alinsub wins Bali International 9-Ball Open, pockets P350,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Apr 2024Suarez closer to title shot
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 19 Apr 2024World Title Challenger Brandon Adams Weighs in for OTX Junior Middleweight Tournament with Ismael Villareal
Fri, 19 Apr 2024Bangkok Chess Open: Three Pinoys Still in Contention as Arca Loses Again
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 19 Apr 2024HALL OF FAMER JULIAN “THE HAWK” JACKSON RETURNING TO CANASTOTA FOR 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEN
Fri, 19 Apr 20242 Division World Champion Oscar Valdez Confirmed for Seventh Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 4, in Las Vegas
Fri, 19 Apr 2024