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:
Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Dec 2025United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025