TU?ACAO, SUICO TO DEFEND OPBF TITLES TOGETHER
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 08 Dec 2005
Reigning Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantam king Malcolm "Eagle Eye" Tu?acao and OPBF super-featherweight champ Randy "Komong Bato" Suico, two of the original trifecta called Golden Boys of Cebu boxing, are slated to defend their prestigious regional titles when they clash with Japanese challengers on February 5, 2006 at the Nagoya Kokusai Kaigijo in Japan.
The twinbill was announced the other day over at CBC TV, a Nagoya television channel, with the two Japanese challengers in attendance.
Ryuhei Sugita (left) and Kohei Ohba face the media during formal announcement of their OPBF title bids against two premier Filipino fighters Randy Suico and Malcolm Tu?acao, respectively.
-- PHOTO BY SPONICHI ANNEX
Suico, managed by well-respected Japanese boxing personality Joe Koizumi, will face Ryuhei Sugita in a 12-round rumble, while Tu?acao defends against Kohei Ohba in the other 12-round spectacle.
Both Suico and Tu?acao were in Cebu training for their upcoming fights when the announcement was made.
"I know Im the pre-fight under-dog. Favorite is Randy. But I will try to do my best to be an OPBF champ," Sugita told the media in attendance.
The dynamite-fisted Suico (23-2, 20 KO's) remains very dangerous despite two controversial losses to Mzonke Fana and Javier Jauregui. But Sugita (30-2-2, 22 KO's) is riding high on a 5-bout winning streak.
Ohba (13-0, 8 KO's), meanwhile, was very humble when he said, "The champ Tu?acao is too strong for me, I know. This is very good experience for me to fight such a dangeraous opponent like Malcolm."
Tu?acao (19-1-2, 13 KO's), managed by Japanese businessman Yasuo Matsuoka, is the former WBC flyweight kingpin.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Allan Villanueva vs. Jyl Wright Headlines Peter Maniatis Event in Melbourne Oct. 3
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BUSTAMANTE AND JONES NAMED CAPTAINS FOR REYES CUP 2025
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Mike Tyson Joins BoltBetz as Strategic Investor and Promotional Partner to Usher in a New Era of Cashless Gaming
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BOXING LEGEND MANNY PACQUIAO LAUNCHES “MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS” IN THE UNITED STATES
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BOOTS HUNTING THE BIG FISH AT 154LBS
Thu, 02 Oct 2025IBA Unveils Historic 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships as Part of a Spectacular Two-Week ‘Festival of Boxing’ in Dubai with Unprecedented $8 Million Prize Pool
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Final Bell for 2025 USA Boxing National Open Event National Open Event Concludes with 1,870 Registered Participants in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Thu, 02 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 15: JOE FRAZIER’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 02 Oct 2025World Boxing relocates Congress 2025 to Rome
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 01 Oct 2025JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 01 Oct 2025CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
Wed, 01 Oct 2025USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
Wed, 01 Oct 2025Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Oct 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Sep 2025