Mobile Home | Desktop Version




Garcia to Servania: "Kid, do not to run, behave like a warrior!"

By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 31 May 2012



MANILA, Philippines - The stars of Pinoy Pride XIV finally met. Mexicans and Filipino boxers came face to face today during the interesting final presscon prepared by ALA Boxing ahead of the much awaited Pinoy Pride XIV card that will take place this Saturday evening at Resorts World Hotel & Casino in Manila, Philippines, in which world champion Donnie Nietes will defend his world title against young and hungry Mexican warrior Felipe Salguero, while rising star Genesis Servania will battle "Scareface" Genaro Poblanito Garcia for the WBC International Silver super bantamweight belt.

In addition, undefeated world rated flyweight star Milan "El Metodico" Melindo, will fight ex world champ Jesus Geles of Colombia who is due to arrive in the Philippines tomorrow.

Filipinos Donnie Nietes, Genesis Servania and Milan Melindo appeared relaxed, positive and in good spirits during the important ceremony attended by WBC Governor and GAB Chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon as well as ALA Boxing President Mr. Michael Aldeguer.

During the presscon Mexican challenger Felipe Salguero promised the audience that he will return to Tijuana with the light flyweight championship after snatching it from the experienced two-division king "Ahas" Nietes.

"To be the best, you must beat the best. I always keep training and fighting waiting for an opportunity like this," said Salguero who achieved notoriety after knocking out Panamanian Carlos "Shanghai" Melo last January.

With record of 16-2, 11KOs, Salguero revealed that his only strategy is to win by KO to avoid the decision. "I must knockout, make clear that I have won."

Meanwhile, Mexican Genaro Garcia, who will square it off against young Filipino Genesis Servania described his opponent as "a boy who wants to fly high, but not his time."

Garcia challenged Servania to stand in the middle of the ring and exchange punches with him: "Kid, please do not to run. Behave like a warrior."

Garcia, who has grabbed much of the boxing media attention, even promised to return to the Philippines in two months to defend the WBC International Silver crown that he plans to win. "I will win this Saturday. I know it."

With the help of his translator and trainer Roberto Lopez, "The original Poblanito" - as he is known here in Manila - put the icing on the cake when he dedicated his win over Servania "to all Filipino ladies who are so very beautiful."

"I know that you Filipino fans were left disappointed wanting to see the real me."

Few months back, another Genaro "Panterita" Garcia came to Philippines was and many thought that he was "Poblanito." Instead, "Panterita" ridiculed the Mexican boxing by losing in just two rounds to "Boom Boom" Bautista.

After the embarrassing and confusing incident, ALA Boxing Promotions promised Filipino fans to bring the real Genaro Garcia.

"Here I am now," said the "Original Poblano," and added, "Everybody knows my career. I have experience and I always go forward. Since I decided to return to boxing last October, I have not stopped training. I have two knockouts in a row and although I am have everything against me, I will knock him out Servania.

Garcia went on to share that "one advantage is that I can change my strategy during the fight. If faced against a strong opponent, I can counter attack. If enemy is weakened, then I go at him and will not give him any break. No rest. That "chamaquito" (young kid) Servania is no match for me," said the experienced Mexican fighter.

Meanwhile, Genesis Servania acknowledged that Genaro Garcia is a "very good fighter, very experienced, strong ... but I will win."

Also aided by his trainer, Edmund Villamor, who translated from Cebuano to English, the undefeated in 17 professional bouts mentioned that he has seen several videos of fights of the Mexican Garcia, whom he admitted puts too much pressure on his rivals, but "I'm ready to take that pressure for 12 rounds to win my first title," predicted Servania who has only 5 knockouts in 17 wins.

Anticipating a bad home cooked decision from the all-Filipino panel of judges, the Mexican confessed: "I have to knock out. That's my only chance of winning the title. Because I am up against the Filipino fighter plus the three Filipino judges, Plus the referee (Bruce McTavish) who has lived 40 years in the Philippines, plus all the fans against me... wining by KO is my only chance."

However, promoter Michel Aldeguer of ALA Boxing assured the Mexican that he not to worry.

Aldeguer said that in the Philippines many foreign fighters have emerged victorious and recalled when Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel defeated by split decision his fighter Z. Gorres in a fight held in Cebu City, Philippines.

Aldeguer said to the Mexicans boxers that they should rest assured that the Filipino judges are known for their honesty and sense of justice.

Photo: Genesis Servania (L) and Genaro Garcia face each other during Thursday's presscon in Manila. Photo by Carlos Costa.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
    Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 19-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
    Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    Tue, 10 Feb 2026