BIG-TIME BOXING RETURNS TO ZAMBOANGA
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 19 Feb 2008
Eric Canoy.
"Quien es el mas macho!"
This famous phrase by announcer Lupe Contreras might as well be the mantra when Zamboanga City, known as the beautiful "City of Flowers" and located in the southernmost tip of the Zamboanga peninsula in Mindanao, plays host when big-time boxing returns to this part of Mindanao with a big show on Saturday, February 23 topbilling local hero Eric Canoy.
Congressman Erbie Fabian, acknowledged as the godfather of boxing in Zamboanga, is putting up the event with the support of promoter Sammy Gello-ani of SGG Sports and Promotions.
The event will be covered by VIVA Sports with Viva hotbabe Carla Samonte in attendance. The card will feature upcoming boxers from the different places in Mindanao.
"This will be a follow up to our initial event held last December 1 dubbed 'Golpe-Golpe Na Zamboanga.' This will be making a statement that we are here to make good on our promise to help the youth in this part of Mindanao," said Congressman Fabian in an interview today.
The main event will showcase Eric Canoy, a former bemedalled amateur standout, going up against Indonesia's Rajabu Maoja in a 12-round war for the vacant WBO Oriental featherweight title at the Zamboanga City Coliseum.
Congressman Erbie Fabian (L) and SGG's Samson Gello-ani are shown in this file photo signing the promotional contract for the Zamboanga boxing card.
Zamboanga City lies in the southwesternmost part of the Philippines.
Canoy has been on a knockout spree lately, stopping Edmund Devilleres, War Bartiquil and Sairung Rajah Gym in a prelude to this Saturday's big fight.
Maoja, of the famed Bahari Stable, is himself coming off a fourth-round knockout win over compatriot Daudi Muhunzi in earning a 12-4, 4 KO's slate.
An exciting supporting cast is being prepared prior to the main event, with the very talented John Mark Apolinario of the Mayor Jojo Lopez Stable taking on Tony Dacer's Brix Bomb Ray over ten rounds. Apolinario showed a wealth of promise in his latest fight in Tubod, Lanao Del Norte, where he halted the usually durable Isidro Balabat in six rounds.
The rest of the card's match-ups are as follows: Tata Ponce vs Joy Trojello; Tiny Rojas vs Bimbo Nacionales; Felix Tanamor vs Marlon Paduga; Marlon Canoy vs Nelson Canlom; Marvin Mabait vs Roldan Castrodes; John Rey Gaspar vs Andelo Andajar; Ronnie Samiao vs Richard Pasaylo; Ferdinand Malinao vs Ramil Cabalan; Richgold Catalogo vs Junjun Cantao; and Noel Adelmita vs Jun Egot.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 01 Oct 2025JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 01 Oct 2025CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
Wed, 01 Oct 2025USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
Wed, 01 Oct 2025Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Oct 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Canelo Alvarez Facing Extended Layoff After Crawford Loss; Surgery Confirms Injury Rumors
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Dante Stone is last American standing in Inaugural WBC Grand Prix
Tue, 30 Sep 2025Age Defying Triumph: At Age 50 Toshihiko Era Wins World Title
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 30 Sep 2025TKO and Zuffa Boxing sign streaming agreement with Paramount
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Boxing Ephemera, Pacquiao’s Mouthguard, and the Meaning of It All
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 30 Sep 2025A turning point for global sport: IBA President Umar Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr join forces
Mon, 29 Sep 2025Rosia captures PBF super fly title
Mon, 29 Sep 2025Tancontians starred 2025 Sports Heroes Night
Mon, 29 Sep 2025“Thrilla” guest list
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 28 Sep 2025