PINOY PRIDE 8: MEXICAN BOXERS MEET THE CEBU SPORTS PRESS CORPS
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 06 Sep 2011
Cebu City ? Francisco Rosas, Rosbel Montoya and Gerson Guerrero have arrived in Cebu and are ready to represent Mexican boxing for the highly anticipated eighth edition of Pinoy Pride: Philippines vs. Mexico. The trio, together with cornermen Herminio Ramirez, Rosbel?s father, Magdaleno Montoya and Michael Lopez, were interviewed by Cebu City sportswriters Tuesday noon during a press conference held at the Maya Mexican Restaurant in Banilad.
Lopez, who served as the Spanish interpreter, said that the Mexicans came here well prepared and ready to show what Mexico can do. Rosas, who will fight Milan Melindo (24W-0L, 8 KO?s) for the WBO Intercontinental flyweight title, said that he is happy to be here and complimented the Filipinos for being ?very nice.?
The 31 year old Rosas (22W-8L-2D, 13 KO?s) has faced world champions like Juan Jose Landaeta, Edgar Sosa, and Roman Gonzales. He considers Gonzales as his toughest opponent. He lost to Gonzales by second round knockout last year but Rosas said that he was robbed when he lost by majority decision in their first encounter for the WBA 105 lb division title.
?I know nothing about Melindo? Rosas said, ?I will find out during the fight, but I promise a good fight. I have prepared well, sparred 100 rounds with Mexican fighters.?
?I never get hurt during fights and Melindo will be the one feeling the pain,? Rosas added, ?Besides, if he was really that good, he would have been champion a long time ago.?
In a surprising revelation, Rosbel Montoya said that his record is actually 34W-4L-1D with 29 KO?s, not the 15 fights that appear in boxrec. Montoya is the reigning WBC Fecombox lt.welterweight champ. The 26 year old Montoya considers Rey Sanchez as his toughest opponent. He will face Jason Pagara (27W-1L, 16 KO?s) for the Filipino?s WBO Asia-Pacific Youth jr.welterweight belt. He plans to start strong against Pagara.
Gerson Guerrero on the other hand said that he had a fight scheduled in Mexico but he turned it down and jumped at the opportunity to face a Filipino inside the ring. He will face up and coming superbantamweight Genesis ?Asukal? Servania (14W-0L, 5 KO?s) in an eight rounder.
The 34 year old Guerrero (34W-8L, 26 KO?s) is a veteran who has fought world champions Daniel Ponce de Leon, Christian Mijares and Mauricio Pastrana.
?There were talks before that I would fight Nonito Donaire and Z Gorres but they did not push through. I have always wanted to fight a Filipino. I had a problem with my eye ? a cataract ? but that has been taken cared of. My last bout was two months ago, I did not have a long lay-off. Filipino boxers are good but we are Mexicans, So Beware!? Guerrero said.
He also said that he is ready to teach Servania a boxing lesson. Guerrero also said he has experienced working with the legendary trainer Nacho Beristain, who was in Manila last weekend for the Pacquiao-Marquez press tour. He also said that he has experienced training with Abner Mares. The visiting fighters said they are not intimated because they have fought outside of Mexico many times. Trainer Ramirez, whose brother Rosendo Vega was stopped by Melindo in one round last March, said that ?We are very well prepared and we will surprise the Filipinos. Viva Mexico!?
They were also asked for their predictions for the Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy. Rosas said he will cheer for Marquez because he is a Mexican but he thinks Pacquiao will win.
Guerrero said Marquez will beat Pacquiao. ?Marquez is the only fighter who can take it to Pacquiao and that Pacquiao has a hard time adjusting to Marquez. Viva Mexico!?
Montoya also predicts a Marquez victory.
There will be a public workout for the Mexican boxers Wednesday 5 PM at the Pacific Mall in Mandaue City. Pinoy Pride 8 will be held this Saturday September 10 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. Rounding up the undercards are Roma Rate of Mandaue City vs Ryan Bongcawil of Bukidnon (6 rounds 110 lbs), Melvin Gumban of Escalante City vs Junjie Lausa of Bukidnon (6 rounds 115 lbs), Mark Acub of Antique vs Sejahei Llanera of Bais (4 rounds 130 lbs), Ralph Lulu of Sultan Kudarat vs Jocel Gestopa of Consolacion, Cebu (6 rounds 127 lbs), Ivor Lastrilla of Tacloban City vs Cris Leon of Bukidnon (4 rounds 122 lbs), and Gilbert Magos of Mabinay, Negros vs Joven Hesona of Siaton, Negros Or. (4 rounds 105 lbs).
PHOTO (L-R): Gerson Guerrero, Rosbel Montoya and Francisco Rosas pose during the Mexican Team's presscon at the Maya Restaurant in Banilad, Cebu Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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