LUNAS ARRIVES IN PANAMA FOR 'NOCHE DE FANTASMAS'
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 26 Oct 2008
PANAMA CITY -- Filipino challenger Rolly ?Matsushita? Lunas is due to arrive here today, ahead of his title clash against reigning WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo ?Chemito? Moreno of Panama.
?Matsushita? Lunas and ?Chemito? Moreno collides for the world bantamweight supremacy at the plush airconditioned Centro de Convenciones Figali located on the shores of the Panama Canal on Thursday night, October 30 (Friday morning in Manila).
The tough, well-experienced 25 years-old Pinoy challenger ?Matsushita? Lunas (25-6-1), born in Albay Province, Philippines is the current OPBF bantamweight champion, whose last outing was a 12 round unanimous decision victory over Thailand's Kaona Klongpajol at the Waterfront Hotel Lahug in Cebu City on Aug 2.
For champion Anselmo ?Chemito? Moreno (23-1-1), this will be the second defense of his WBA world bantamweight crown, which he won from former undefeated champion ucranian Wladimir Sidorenko (21-1-2) in D?sseldorf last May 31.
The first successful title defense for "Chemito" Moreno was a technical decision win in 7 rounds against Mexican fighter Cecilio Santos just last September 18.
The Pinoy challenger will stay in Panama accompanied by his Japanese handlers: manager Naoyuki Kashimi and trainer Mack Kurihara. The trio will be guests at the stylish Cristal Suites Hotel located along Brazil Avenue.
Training facilities for Rolly Lunas will take place in Panama Boxing Club Gym located in Panama City?s luxurious neighborhood of Marbella.
The fast and technically gifted Moreno has said that he is already in excellent fighting shape to face his Filipino challenger. He also shared that at this moment he is only a few pounds over the limit of the bantamweight division.
Yesterday, the 23-year-old WBA bantamweight king trained with the sack, mitts, ropes and made some calisthenics excercises, all under the eye of his chief trainer, former fighter Celso ?Spaghetti? Chavez.
The bout, due to take place on the evening of Halloween, has been dubbed as ?Noche de Fantasmas? (evening of ghosts), and will be televised nationwide in Panama by sports channel TV MAX (http://www.tvmax-9.com/)
The promotion company for ?Noche de Fantasmas? is Boxing Premium Promotions of Panama?s boxing personality Hector Villarreal.
According to Boxrec, the WBA officials are: referee Manuel Rodriguez from Colombia, and the three judges are Enrique Portocarrero from Nicaragua, Alfredo Polanco from Mexico and Rafael Hernandez from Dominican Republic.
This championship fight will be the fourth time that Filipinos and Panamanians compete each other for a world boxing title. So far the count is 3-0 in favour of Panama.
It?s also the first time that a Filipino boxer travels to Panama to fight for a world boxing championship.
There is great espectation and excitement for the coming of the Filipino fighter as Panamanian boxing fans admire and respect the many achivements of Pinoy fighters.
In addition, Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is very well liked here in Panama where his fights has been televised live on national TV. Another Filipino fighter, Gerry Pe?alosa, is also very popular to the Panamanians.
Panama's boxing legend Roberto Duran, who is considered the greatest lightweight of all time, has said that he personally is leaning towards Manny Pacquiao?s victory. The 'Hands of Stone' declared that the Filipino national treasure Pacquiao has a great chance to beat Oscar de la Hoya in Las Vegas on December 6.
Tickets for the Moreno vs Lunas title fight are already in pre-sale at 175 US Dollars (VIP ringside). Other seats are priced at 80 US Dollars, 40 US Dollars. General admission is only 12 US dollars. Tickets are now available at any Blockbuster store around Panama.
Top photo: Rolly 'Matsushita' Lunas (L) is shown here with his trainer Juanito Ablaca during his victory over Thailand's Kaona Klongpajol at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City on Aug 2.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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