LEYVA, RACHMAN CONFIDENT OF VICTORY!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 12 Mar 2009
CEBU CITY--Two former world champions have vowed they will come out victorious after the smoke of battle shall have cleared this Saturday in the co-main event of the "Judgement at the Waterfront" boxing extravaganza put up by the ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports.
At today's final press conference held at the Aegean Room of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, both Mexican Roberto Leyva and Indonesian Muhammad Rachman sounded confident against their hometown foes.
Leyva, the former IBF minifly champion, will take on Z "The Dream" Gorres for the prestigious WBO Oriental bantam title, while Rachman trades leathers with unbeaten ALA sensation Milan Milendo.
"Mexican fighters leave it all on the ring. Gorres gained a lot of respect after the Montiel fight. But i came here to win this fight," announced Leyva through interpreter and journalist Lee Bates.
Leyva arrived here today with Bates and former WBC and WBA world champion Raul "Jibaro" Perez.
Gorres, for his part, did not make any bold predictions, but stated he feels stronger and ready in his first foray as a bantamweight.
Rachman, the former IBF minifly kingpin, has reiterated he will use Milendo as a tune-up fight before he challenges WBC minimumweight champion Oleydong Sithchanerchai of Thailand.
"I came here with no other choice but to knock him out," declared Rachman as translated by manager Martinez Dos Santos.
Rachman, who is running for Indonesian parliament on the April 9 elections, said a win over Milendo will definitely be an added boost to his political campaign.
Also appearing at today's press conference were the hard-working WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo, ALA Gym's Michael Aldeguer, trainer Edito Villamor, and the members of Team Rachman and Team Leyva.
ABS-CBN will telecast the bouts starting 9PM on Saturday over Studio 23, with a replay 10AM on Sunday over ABS-CBN.
The official weigh-in takes place tomorrow at the SM Atrium at 11AM.
First bout starts 6:25PM on Saturday, featuring Jomar Cordinillo against Ricky Nunez, followed by Marjohn Makahilig against Marlon Ariesga.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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