Blockbuster card in Mandaue
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 22 Apr 2024
A seven-fight, 58-round card called Engkwentro 13 is guaranteed to rock the Mandaue Cultural and Sports Complex on May 1 with a pair of WBO Oriental championships at stake in a double main event featuring undefeated prospects and a former two-time world titlist gunning for another crack at the crown.
The first attraction pits amateur standout Ramil (The Sharp) Macado of Cebu against Philippine Boxing Federation flyweight king Lorenz Dumam-ag of Mandaluyong in a 12-rounder for the vacant WBO Oriental 112-pound throne. Macado, 28, has an 8-0 record, with four KOs while Dumam-ag, 25, ,boasts a 9-0-1 mark, with six KOs. Both southpaws are looking to scale the ladder for a world top 10 rating.
The second attraction is a clash between former WBO/WBA minimumweight ruler Vic (Vicious) Saludar of Polomolok, Cotabato del Sur and Thai trialhorse Sanchai Yotboon in a 12-rounder for the vacant WBO Oriental 105-pound diadem. Saludar, 33, is ranked No. 2 by WBO, No. 6 by WBA and No. 13 by IBF so losing isn’t an option if he hopes to stay in the hunt for another crack at the world belt. He’s coming off three straight wins by KO and in line for bigger game. His record is 24-6, with 14 KOs. Sanchai, 26, lost to Giemel Magramo on a second round stoppage at Okada last year and checks in with a slate of 14-7, including nine KOs. He’s fresh from winning two in a row and out to prove Saludar has seen better days.
In other fights, minimumweights Ian Abne and Darwin Bayones face off in a tenner, lightflyweights Raffie Jamero and Jhon Ver Espra meet in a sixer, lightflyweights Reil Gabunilas and Ronald Ewikan tangle in a sixer and lightflyweights John Magos and Grant Elorza battle in a sixer. There’s also a special six-round bout at 116 pounds featuring female fighters Casey Croft of USA and Peeyalulax Sanpokang of Thailand.
Macado is a two-time PNG and former PRISAA National Games gold medalist with a rich amateur background fighting in Indonesia, India, Uzbekistan, Greece, Thailand and China. “Excited ako sa laro at isa sa pangarap ko ay makalaban ng championship,” said Macado. “Five months ang aking preparation. Takbo araw-araw, sparring, walang absent, tuluy-tuloy ang training. Kung mayroon akong iniinda, go lang.”
Unlike Macado who’s never been floored, Dumam-ag has been decked twice in different fights but remains undefeated. Against Anthony Gilbuela, he took a count in the third round but scored knockdowns in the second, sixth and ninth. Against Christian Gagarin, Dumam-ag sent his opponent down in the first but was floored in the second. The fight was declared a technical draw after Gagarin was ruled unfit to continue due to a cut on his right eyelid caused by an accidental butt. Dumam-ag said after stopping Gilbuela in General Santos City last December, he took a two-week rest then plunged back to training. He’s been sparring with bigger fighters, some in the superfeatherweight division and bantamweight Adrian Lerasan to get ready for Macado. “Puspusan ang training,” said Dumam-ag’s coach Richard Garcia. “Ready na kami sa bakbakan. Malaki ang potential ng bata, subaybayin natin ang career niya at malayo ang mararating.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025