TU?ACAO READY FOR OPBF DEFENSE; LEAVES FOR JAPAN TODAY
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 30 Apr 2006
Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Malcolm Tu?acao is in tremendous shape as he defends his title on May 6 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, underneath the explosive Rodel Mayol-Eagle Kyowa WBC championship showdown.
The southpaw Tu?acao (19-1-3, 13 KO's) defends against Japanese Yasuo Kijima in the co-featured 12-rounder.
Tu?acao is set to depart for Japan today, to join his stablemate Mayol who had earlier left for Japan for their final days of training before their important assignments.
Both the Mayol-Kyowa and Tu?acao-Kijima bouts will be aired live by Solar Sports on May 6.
Before his trip for Japan today, Tu?acao had logged in precious sparring rounds at the ALA Gym against OPBF superfly champ Z Gorres, RP bantam champ Michael Domingo, Sherwin Paro, Gerope Mercado, Roel Laguna, Reman Salim, Robert Allanic, Edwin Gastador, Romeo Buhawi, ex-PABA champ Marvin Tampus and Ping Tepura.
"I'm in top shape for this fight. This is a crucial bout for me as a win will possibly line me up for a crack at the WBC bantam title," said Tu?acao.
Tu?acao will be joined in the trip by Japanese flyweight Daisuke Naito, who has been training at the ALA Gym for his June 27 challenge against OPBF flyweight champ Noriyuki Komatsu.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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