WBA CHAMP HIRES MEXICAN SPARMATES FOR GEJON BOUT
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 13 Aug 2005
World Boxing Association minimumweight kingpin Yutaka Niida of Japan has just hired a couple of Mexican sparmates as he plunges into the crucial stages of his preparation for the September 25 defense of his title against top-ranked Filipino Eribero "Yukka" Gejon.
The 26-year-old Niida, who goes to the gym driving an expensive white Cadillac, will defend his crown against the undefeated fighter from Cebu at the 20,000-capacity Yokohama Arena in Japan.
Reports coming out of Japan have indicated that Niida has already hired Mexican flyweights Luis "El Dulcero" Martinez and undefeated Daniel Saldivar, a nephew of former world featherweight champ Vicente Saldivar, to help him prepare for the talented Filipino.
Like Gejon, the Mexico City-based Martinez stands at 5'7. He once vied for the WBC flyweight throne, losing to Thai Pongsaklek Wongjongkam by fifth-round technical knockout last year.
The fight, which is dubbed "World Premium Boxing" and promoted by Japan's no. 1 promoter Akihiko Honda's Teiken Promotions, Inc., will also feature Jorge Linares, a Tokyo-based Venezuelan, and Takahiro Ao in the undercard.
Honda's Teiken Promotions has already produced five world champs, namely: Masao Ohba (WBA Flyweight),Jiro Watanabe (WBA Superflyweight), Tsuyoshi Hamada (WBC Superlightweight), Takuya Muguruma (WBA Bantamweight), and Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (WBC Bantamweight).
Meanwhile, Rex "Wakee" Salud, Gejon's manager, informed the other day that he is not a bit worried of his ward's chances, as he indicated that Gejon is in top shape and is a "world-class fighter."
"I am trying to have him leave for Japan early so that he can acclimatize and spar against good boxers in Japan, including Rodel Mayol who is now in Japan," Salud told this writer.
END
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