Big-time boxing in Cebu
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 08 Feb 2025
CEBU. Three WBO regional championships will be at stake with WBO No. 1 minimumweight Vic Saludar headlining the undercard in a blockbuster boxing event called “Binukbukay Sa Sugbu” at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino here tonight.
WBO Global featherweight ruler and WBO No. 4 contender Jeong Seon Kang makes the second defense of his crown against Japan’s Ryuto Owan in the main feature. Kang, 23, is the next Korean ring hope and boasts a record of 20-1-2, with 11 KOs. Owan, 26, has a 13-2 slate, with eight KOs and like Kang, turned pro in 2017.
In another 12-rounder, WBO Oriental superfeatherweight titlist Yeerjialahasi Laayibieke of Urumgi, China, takes on hometown challenger Rodex (The Tank) Piala. Laayibieke, 24, was sensational in capturing the vacant WBO Oriental crown via a fifth round stoppage of Virgel Vitor in Tagbilaran City last July. The Uyghur is a robot-like fighting machine with no reverse gear. He’s won 10 in a row since starting his career with back-to-back losses on points. Piala, 29, is coming off a setback by decision to Kenji Fujita in Tokyo for the WBO Asia Pacific belt and a big win over Laayibieke will erase the bitter memory of the loss. Piala’s record is 10-1, with one KO compared to Laayibieke’s 10-2, with seven KOs.
A third 12-rounder pits former world title challenger Genesis Servania against China’s Aketeliete Yelejian for the vacant WBO Oriental welterweight strap. Servania, 33, got off to a 29-0 start after turning pro in 2009 but has now lost three of his last six. Yelejian, 26, is the IBF Asia welterweight king and looks to annex the WBO Oriental diadem at Servania’s expense. His record is 9-4-1, with two KOs while Servania’s mark is 35-4, with 16 KOs.
Saludar, 34, isn’t only the WBO No. 1 minimumweight but also WBA No. 7, IBF No. 9 and WBC No. 14. The former WBO/WBA 105-pound champion is due for a mandatory challenge against WBO beltholder Oscar Collazo whom he decked but lost a decision to in LA in 2022. Last May, Saludar knocked out Thai Sanchai Yotboon in one round to win the WBO Oriental title. He faces Roldan Sasan in a tenner and it should be short work. Sasan, 25, has lost his last five outings. Promoter Dr. Winley de la Fuente of OX-KBDF Gaming is setting the stage to bring big-time boxing back to the Queen City of the South.
Photo: WBO Global defending featherweight champion Kang Jong Seon of South Korea (L) and Ryuto Owan (R) of Japan have a heated staredown during Friday's weighin at the Nustar Resort & Casino in Cebu.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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