Good News, Bad News
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 25 Mar 2021
Nietes returns against Carillo on April 3 in Dubai.
First, the bad news: Jerwin Ancajas reportedly turned out positive of his recent Covid 19 test putting in doubt his already scheduled IBF world superflyweight title defense, supposedly his ninth, this April 10 in the US.
The upside will be Ancajas gets to extend his world title reign, the longest among the titleholders at the loaded super flyweight class. But this will also mean that his opt postponed mandatory defense against Mexico's Jonathan Javier Rodriguez will have to be pushed to an uncertain later date again. It was supposed to be his debut with new promoter, Premier Boxing Champions of Al Haymon.
Now, the good news: A number of prominent Pinoy boxers are scheduled to see action, some after a long lay off, against local and foreign foes here and abroad.
At long last, former multi division world titlist Donnie "Ahas" Nietes (45-1-2) will be seeing action in the ring again, his debut with new promoter, MTK Global against Pablo Carillo (25-7-2 of Colombia for the vacant WBO international super flyweight crown at the Caesar's Palace in Dubai on April 3.
The Nietes-Carillo bout will be a title support card underneath the main event Jamel Herring defense of his WBO super featherweight belt versus UK's former two division titlist Carl Frampton.
Long time stablemate Pinoy super bantamweight fighter Albert Pagara was first reported to be in the card also but for some reason was later scratched. Pagara has also not entered the ring to fight since two years ago.
Curiously, also fighting in the gig is former Eumir Marcial world amateur championship semis foe and victim, Tursynbay Kulakhmet of Kazakhstan who will be into his third pro outing, defending his WBC international super welterweight title against undefeated Venezuelan Hubert Rondon (20-0-0).
Before this, former world minimumweight title challenger Mark Anthony Barriga will be making a comeback, this time as a light flyweight as he takes on Junuel Lacar this weekend in Cebu alongside bouts involving two other promising fighters, unbeaten world rated Mark Vicelles (12-0-1) and once beaten Peter Apolinar (13-1-0). Vicelles will take on Arnold Garde (8-6-3) at light flyweight while Apolinar tangles with Juanito Paredes (10-10-3) at featherweight.
Also seeing action is Arthur Villanueva (32-4-2 ) who is up against Bryan Tamayo (6-1-3 ) at super bantamweight in his continuing comeback. Villanueva got sidetracked by a spate of losses in world title fights, losing to Zolani Tete and Nordine Oubaali.
Meanwhile, the trio of Mike Plania, Romero Duno and Mark Bernaldez will be fighting separate opponents in the US also next month. Plania and Duno will be going up against Argentine foes with the Americas continental titles at super bantamweight and lightweight at stake. Bernaldez on the other hand will go up against a tough Mexican foe in non title fight at featherweight.
Plania and Bernaldez are out to continue their winning skein from last year while this is Duno's first fight since his shock first round kayo loss to Ryan Garcia two years ago.
Also in April, former light flyweight world champion and world rated featherweight Marvin Sonsona continues his comeback in boxing as is reported to take on German Rico Mueller in a welterweight bout that failed to happen last year due to the pandemic.
Sonsona made a return to pro boxing and won his two fights in 2019, including against Indonesian Arief Blader. However, there are lingering doubts if he can really be competitive at 147lbs., albeit his size.
The elongated 5-7 Sonsona made quite an impression when he poleaxed Japanese former world junior featherweight titlist Akifumi Shimoda a few years ago in an undercard of Manny Pacquiao main event fight in Macau. That fight was even considered as among that year's Knockout of the Year candidates.
However, it is held doubtful if he could carry his chilling power up at welterweights where fighters are naturally bigger.
Mueller 30, is a former amateur standout and has fought professionally some names at welterweight including Jeff Horn to whom he lost by TKO and Rafal Jakewich whom he beat on points.
Lastly, youthful, undefeated and popular Cordilleran Carl Jammes "Wonder Boy" Martin (17-0-0, 15 ) will be attempting to lift the GAB Philippine super bantamweight crown from the head of the dangerous veteran Mark Anthony Geraldo in their yet to be set fight.
These does not include potential world title fights involving the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Johnriel Casimero, Nonito Donaire and Michael Dasmarinas who is reported as Naoya Inoue's IBF title mandatory challenger.
We are only talking of the first half of 2021.
Now, who is saying that boxing is down and out in this still raging pandemic?
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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