SUICO DEFENDS OPBF TITLE TODAY
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 27 Apr 2005
LAPU-LAPU CITY?With reigning featherweight king Manny Pacquiao watching from ringside, all roads lead to the Lapu-Lapu Sports Complex tonight as Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super-featherweight king Randy ?Komong Bato? Suico stakes his title against Thailand?s Muangfahlek Kiatwichien in a 12-round bloodbath topbilling the ?Kadaugan sa Mactan 3? card.
Suico came in at an exact 130 lbs, while Kiatwichean had to shed off an extra pound before meeting the regulatory limit during official weigh-in held at the newly-inaugurated Wakee Salud Gym supervised by Games and Amusements Board boxing division chief Emmanuel Flores.
Scoring referee for today?s fight is Bruce McTavish, while judges are Jonathan Davis of the Philippines and Pinit Prayadsab of Thailand. Supervisor is Emmanuel Flores.
The 25-year-old Suico (22-1, 19 KO?s), ranked WBC no. 3 behind Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao, yesterday refused to issue any round predictions, but said that Kiatwichean is definitely headed to the canvas.
?I will not say what round, but I will deposit him to the canvas tomorrow. I?m very prepared for this,? informed Suico, who had a total of 82 rounds of sparring against WBF king Dindo Castanares, RP champs Dondon Sultan and Bart Abapo, Ramil Caballes and Cesar Yarte.
Kiatwichean, through interpreter Narong Hengtrakul, assured he was not intimidated by Suico?s reputation. ?If he chooses to mix it up with me, he?s getting knocked out. I?m sure of that,? he stressed.
In the chief support, WBA no. 1 strawweight Yukka Gejon of Wakee Salud Stable takes on Thailand's Namchai Thaksinisan in a 10-round non-title appearance. Gejon is set to vie for the WBA title in September this year against Japan?s Yutaka Niida.
Other bouts pit JR Sollano against Roel Mangan; Louie Bantigue against William Macas (8 rds); Gabriel Pumar versus Emer Barrientos (8 rds); Alex Aroy against Allan Dugang 8 rds); Apol Suico versus Dodong Salde (4 rds); Jomar Matbagon against Alvin Mundala (4 rds) and Bryan Rosal versus Jun Canamo (4rds).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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