WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS FROM NAGA, CEBU
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 20 Dec 2019
NAGA CITY, Cebu – A former world champion, a former world title challenger and a bunch of undefeated and up and coming prospects will be featured in tomorrow's “Brawl in Naga I – Band of Brothers” as part of this southern city's holiday celebrations.
The official weighin was held at Naga City's popular Boardwalk under overcast skies with the cool ocean breeze caressing the combatants well defined torsos in the presence of the host city mayor Val Chiong and other officials.
In the main event, former WBO minimumweight champion Vic Saludar stepped the scales at 105 lbs while his opponent Mike Kinaadman came in at 104 lbs. Saludar and Kinaadman will vie for the Asian Boxing Federation minimumweight title scheduled for 10 rounds.
L-R: Vic Saludar, Naga City mayor Val Chiong and Mike Kinaadman during Friday's weighin in Naga City, Cebu.
Casey Morton (R) and Saowaluk Nareepangsri.
In the co-main event, easy to look at and highly articulate Casey Morton of Hawaii weighed in at 116 lbs while her opponent Saowaluk Nareepangsri of Thailand came in at 115 lbs for their 8-round scheduled super flyweight bout. Morton previously held the WBO Asia-Pacific Female super flyweight crown but was unsuccessful when she fought for a world title against Miyo Yoshida of Japan last June 21 in Japan.
Jakeson Saludar (L) and Jake Amparo.
In the featured undercards, Vic Saludar's younger brother Jakeson who is undefeated in four fights / four knockouts and his opponent Jake Amparo (5-2-1, 0KOs) both weighed in at the minimumweight limit of 105 lbs. Their fight is scheduled of eight rounds or less.
Van June Saludar (R) and Justine Darap.
Another younger brother of Vic Saludar, Van June (5-2-2, 3KOs), stepped the scales at 114 lbs while his opponent, the dangerous Justine Darap (8-1-0, 5KOs) of Calbayog, Samar came in at 115 lbs for their 6-round scheduled super flyweight bout.
Below are the weights of the rest of the undercard which was supervised by Cebu GAB official Rolando Mendoza.
6 rounds super bantamweight
Bryan James Wild (3-0-0, 2KOs), Cebu City – 121 lbs.
vs Melanio Torremocha (0-1-0, 1KOs) – 118 lbs.
6 rounds flyweight
April Abne (4-0-0, 1KOs) Manticao, Misamis Oriental – 112 lbs.
vs Isagani Llaban (3-1-1, 0KOs) Cagayan de Oro – 112 lbs.
6 rounds flyweight
John Paul Cabunillas (2-1-0, 1KOs) – 112 lbs.
vs Gary Rojo (9-14-1, 5KOs) Bohol – Rojo did not make to the weighin on time as he was lost in a holiday traffic.
4 rounds minimumweight
Jesriel Bonghanoy Singwancha (1-1-0, 0KOs) – 105 lbs.
vs Marlon Alejandro (1-0-0, 0KOs) – 105 lbs.
4 rounds flyweight
Ian Abne (debut) – 111 lbs.
vs Marvin Campo (0-1-0, 0KO) – 115 lbs.
4 rounds super flyweight
Marvin Laping (0-1-0, 1KO) – 115 lbs.
vs Leven Nemenso (debut) – 116 lbs.
Brawl in Naga I protagonists pose with Naga City administrator Engr. Arthur Villamor (C).
During the press conference that followed, Vic Saludar said he lost his title in Puerto Rico against Wilfredo Mendez due to bad circumstances. “My trainer failed to get his US visa. So I was alone in Puerto Rico with only the wife of my promoter who accompanied me,” Saludar, who is now ranked by the WBO at No. 4, said in the vernacular. “It is up to my promoter, if he can arrange a rematch with Mendez, I know I can beat him.”
Vic Saludar (R) and Mike Kinaadman during Friday's press conference.
As for his opponent tomorrow, Mike Kinaadman, Saludar said “although I already beat him twice, I will never be over-confident. I trained hard for this fight.” Kinaadman, on the other hand, said, “I promise to give a good fight tomorrow to entertain the crowd.”
Casey Morton (8-2-3, 1KOs), who failed in her bid to capture a world title in her last fight, said “I am very honored to continue moving forward with my career. I was very grateful for all my victories but especially with my two losses because I learned a great amount [from them].”
Casey Morton.
Morton cited the case of Anthony Joshua who lost to Andy Ruiz. “After that loss to Ruiz, Joshua came back to the gym very determined. So now, with my trainer, I worked harder than ever and made the proper adjustments.”
Morton said she was honored to display her skills in front of people of Naga and thanked her Thai opponent Saowaluk Nareepangsri (8-17-0, 2KOs) for accepting the fight.
The gate opens at 6:00 p.m. Five amateur fights will be featured before the professional starts.
Tickets are being sold at PHP50 and PHP20. The event was being organized by Mayor Val Chong and the City of Naga, Naris Singwancha and Championship Boxing Development of the Philippines.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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