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)
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