?THE WORLD? HITS CEBU
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Jan 2012
Cebu City ? The five foreign boxers who will oppose Team Philippines rattled their sabers when they met Cebu sportswriters Wednesday noon in a press conference held at the Maya Mexican Restaurant for the much anticipated PINOY PRIDE XI: Philippines vs The World fight card.
Juan ?Panterita? Esquer of Mexico, who will challenge Milan Melindo for the WBO Intercontinental flyweight title, said that he has trained for two months for this bout.
?No, I don't consider Melindo as a tough opponent,? Esquer said, ?On fight night, you will see what Mexican boxing is all about.?
Esquer (27-9-2, 21 KO's) commented about his losses, saying that those fights were stolen away from him. His ring moniker means a small panther and he considers Panama's Luis Concepcion as his toughest opponent.
Regarding Melindo's prediction that he'll win by fifth round knockout, Esquer said, ?I don't belittle fighters. A boxer is always a boxer, some just talk more than others.?
His message to Melindo: ?I hope he will stop and fight and not run. It's not good that I had to travel so far and see someone who will not fight. He will fight a Mexican who will make him feel weird.?
Diego ?Tyson? Ledesma (18-4-2, 12 KO's), also from Mexico, will face Lorenzo ?Thunderbolt? Villanueva in a battle that could steal the thunder from the main event.
Ledesma said that he ?looks and fights like Mike Tyson? and then proceeded to take off his shirt and showed his rippling muscles.
?I don't talk about knockouts, I just come here to win.? Ledesma added.
Top photo: Juan Esquer shows his muscles during the presscon held at the Maya Mexican Restaurant in Cebu City Wednesday.
The world invades Cebu (Left to right): Korea's Yoo Shin Kim, Indonesia's Sofyan Efendi, Mexico's Juan Esquer, Mexico's Diego Ledesma and Thailand's Kaichon Sor Vorapin pose during press conference held at the Maya Mexican Restaurant in Banilad, Cebu City.
Photos by Dong Secuya.
Kaichon Sor Vorapin of Thailand, who owns two wins over Rocky Fuentes, will be pitted against Mhar Jhun Macahilig. Sofyan Effendi of Indonesia will fight Merlito Sabillo, the reigning OPBF 105 lb division champ, in a non-title bout and Yoo Shin Kim of Korea trades punches with Joseph Von Minoza.
Kaichon, Effendi and Kim all vowed to give their best and promised wins in their respective match-ups. A golden 'world' trophy is up for grabs for the winning team.
Another foreign boxer, Kazuya Harada of Japan, will be up against Alvin Arresgado in a four rounder. Crowd darling Jun 'Flash' Intor will have a rematch against Crispin Parba, Mark Acub fights Samuel Galinato and Ivor Lastrilla faces Jicky Gaco round up the undercards.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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