MAGBANUA, BATAWANG DEFEND WBO CROWNS TODAY
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 25 Apr 2009
Two WBO regional titles will be put on the line today as the "Thriller in April" card takes place tonight at the Cebu Coliseum presented by North Cotabato vice-governor Manny Pinol and Sammy Gello-ani.
The bouts are expected to be surefire competitive bouts from top to bottom, assured the organizers, indicating that there will be no sure winner in each bout.
The main event will feature WBO interim Oriental bantam champion Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua of Braveheart Stable defending his title for the first time against Thailand's Wan Sithsaithong in a 12-round showdown.
Pinol, who has been guiding Magbanua's career, informed yesterday that should Magbanua come out victorious, he will then try to arrange for a world title crack for his ward.
The veteran Batawang, still considered very dangerous at 36, will defend his WBO Oriental junior flyweight title against Braveheart Stable's Edrin "The Sting" Dapudong.
All main event fighters made weight at yesterday's official weigh-in supervised by WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo.
Tonight's bouts will be aired via "live streaming" on the internet by www.pinoyboxingtv.com , according to Pinol.
An exciting undercard pits Korean Jong Hwa Lee against Braveheart's Richard Betos in an 8-round showdown.
For the first time in local boxing, the two main events will be using the locally-made Tibay Gloves, which has now made inroads into producing quality gloves in the mold of the Cleto Reyes gloves from Mexico.
First bout starts at 7PM.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 28 Jun 2025Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 28 Jun 2025Alekhine Nouri and John Jerish Velarde struck gold and bronze
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 28 Jun 2025Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 27 Jun 2025Asenso Ozamis Open chess tournament on July 12 and 13
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Jun 2025MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS’ JAKE PAUL VS. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Guro Dan Inosanto: Guardian of the Filipino Fighting Spirit
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 27 Jun 2025Weigh-In Results: Christian Mbilili vs. Maciej Sulecki
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Unbeaten Philippines Top Prospect Criztian Pitt Laurente Signs with Sanman Boxing
Fri, 27 Jun 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS PROMISING AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT SARDIUS SIMMONS
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Madoka Wada Halts Chay Rivas in Tokyo, Retains OPBF Belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Grand Prix a Grand Concept
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 26 Jun 2025PHOTOS: Pacquiao Showcases Vintage Form During Media Day Workout at Wildcard Gym
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Press Conference Notes: Christian Mbilli & Maciej Sulecki Collide for Interim Super Middleweight World Title FRIDAY in Quebec City
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Rivas vs Wada: Battle for Women’s OPBF Supremacy Today in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Jun 2025