Johnson, Farah weigh-in today in Davao Thrilla
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 14 Jun 2019
DAVAO CITY ? Gladiators Ron ?The American Dream? Johnson of USA and Saul ?The Phoenix Assassin? Farah of Bolivia will lead the powerhouse cast of boxers in today?s Thrilla in Davao weigh-in cum press conference (Friday morning) at the Crevice Hotel.
Both are expressing confidence he will be the better man left standing in the ring after the 12-round Global Boxing Organization (GBO) world heavyweight title bout tomorrow night.
With GAB officials presiding the 10am traditional rites, Davao Thrilla promoter RED Boxing Int?l chairman Rey Rodis ventured saying the eventual victor might have a chance of earning a title fight with newly minted WBO, WBA and IBF king Andy Ruiz.
?Well, in boxing anything can happen,? said Rodis, referring to Ruiz? shock knockout win over the highly favored defending titlist Anthony Joshua of UK.Rodis said the 6?5? Briton slugger may have underestimated the power and determination of the flabby Mexican warrior who toted an almost impeccable 32-1 tally.
?A unification bout with GBO may be possible even if my suggestion may sound remote,? added Rodis whose Los Angeles based promotions agency led by son Rey ?Cacoi? Rodis (President/CEO) is GBO?s partner in launching the initial event in the calendar of the GBO Asia Pacific Championship Boxing Caravan in the Philippines and Asia.Johnson may have a slight ring rust owing to his nearly two years of inactivity but the man they call.
?The American Dream? shrugged off the insinuation. ?I?ve never felt better prepared than this one,? said the 5?10? orthodox boxer from Cleveland, Ohio who owns a 15-1-0, win-loss-draw record since turning pro in 2004.
Farah stands the same height as Johnson but is the more active as he had just secured the Bolivian heavyweight crown with a victory over Cesar Mamani in March 2019.
Farah has fought a total of 350 rounds in his 14-year pro career and totes an eyebrow-raising mark of 95 fights, 69 wins (60 by KOs), 23 losses and 3 draws for an amazing 63% knockout win average.
Interest will also be focused on how Ifugao pugs Roy Nagulman and KJ Natuplag will perform in their quest for GBO titles as they are fighting away from home.
Both are hoping to maintain and proudly go back to the Cordillera, carrying their individual unblemished slates against Aries Buenavidez and Joe Tejones in the 118 lb bantamweight and 130lb junior lightweight classes, respectively.
Flyweights JenuelLausa, his foe Orlie Silvestre are tangling in 8 rounds; another pair of flyweights, RoyderBorbon and ReymartEbones collide in 6 rounds while Gabriel Dasan and NiloEntero swap punches in the 4-round curtain raiser.
Rodis said the Thrilla in Davao fight card, in coordination with the Office of Mayor Sara Duterte and the City Government of Davao, is approved by the Games and Amusement Board headed by chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra.
Johnson and Farah, with their respective teams, joined a motorcade around selected city streets yesterday to hype the boxing extravaganza happening on Saturday night at the Enderun tent, Azuela Cove, Lanang.
The Thrilla in Davao is a red carpet, dinner cum boxing event by-invitation only. (Lito delos Reyes)
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