NIIDA TO TAP MEXICAN SPARMATES FOR GEJON FIGHT
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 27 Jul 2005
World Boxing Association 105-lb king Yutaka Niida of Japan has made sure he is pulling no stops as he prepares for his September 25 titular defense against top Filipino fighter Eriberto "Yukka" Gejon at the Yokohama Arena, an hour's trip from mainland Tokyo.
Sources from Japan have informed that Niida will be importing to Tokyo "some Mexican sparmates" to help him prepare for the undefeated Filipino Gejon, who until the WBA fight was announced last Monday, had been largely a "well-kept secret" from Cebu by kingmaker Rex "Wakee" Salud.
"My opponent (Gejon) is tall but he looks like he can't take a hard punch. He's my favorite type of opponent," said Niida in a Philboxing.com story yesterday as quoted by Japan Today.
Gejon, however, will not be importing sparmates, but will rely on homegrown talents from Cebu to help him prepare for Niida. Among those eyed to spar against him are his older brother Elmer, the Philippine minifly champ, world-rated Wyndel Janiola, Gabriel Pumar, as well as a slew of fighters from the famed ALA Gym, Wakee Salud Gym and Stonewall Boxing Club.
"We are also planning to send him to Japan a good month before the fight. His good friend Rodel Mayol, who is in Japan at this time, wants to spar with him so he can help Gejon get better preparation," said trainer Brix Flores, who is Gejon's chief tactician.
Gejon's best buddy, ex-WBC flyweight boss Malcolm Tunacao, who is with Mayol in Japan, had also expressed interest in having Gejon fly to Japan one month before the fight so he could give pointers to his friend.
END
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