JAPANESE FORMER WORLD CHAMP TAKAYAMA VS FILIPINO HANDIG FOR PAN-PACIFIC TITLE IN LA TRINIDAD OCT 13; WINNER LIKELY TO FACE WORLD CHAMP
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 10 Oct 2012
Philippines vs Japan in a IBF Pan-Pacific Title in La Trinidad, Benguet this Saturday October 13. The announced "Boxing With a Cause Twin Rumble" card this Saturday in La Trinidad, Benguet Province in the Philippines, has added a new explosive 12-round action fight, the Pan-Pacific Minimumweight Title between IBF world ranked warriors, Filipino Handig Singwancha and tough 29 year-old Japanese Katsunari Takayama.
Two-time world champ Katsunari Takayama (24-5, 10KO's) of Osaka, Japan will fly into the Philippines to battle world rated 23 year-old Filipino Mateo Handig Singwancha (12-5, 7KO's), in a rumble that will produce the new Pan-Pacific Champion and a likely challenger to the crown of IBF Minimumweight World Champion Mario "Dragoncito" Rodr?guez (15-6-4, 11KO's) of Sinaloa, M?xico.
"The IBF has granted formal sanction approval for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific Mini Flyweight Championship fight between Katsunari Takayama and Mathew Handig Singwancha. The bout is scheduled for October 13, 2012 in Baguio (Benguet), Republic of the Philippines," confirmed from New Jersey American Lindsey E. Tucker, Jr., Championship Chairman IBF/USBA.
Takayama, currently rated #6 by the IBF, and Handig Singwancha #11 will battle on the campus of Banguet State University (BSU) in a production of Highland Boxing Promotions of Asian promoter of the year Brico Santig and Hayashi Boxing in association with well-known boxing patron Naris Singwancha of Thailand and the support of La Trinidad Mayor Gregorio T. Abalos Jr., and Benguet Congressman Hon. Ronald M. Cosalan.
To most accounts, the Filipino Handig, who hails from paradisaical Province of Northern Samar, hasn't battled anyone with the class and experience of Takayama who is five years his elder, but fighting in his native land of the Philippines might inspire Handig to achieve the greatest victory in his life.
According to co-promoter Brico Santig, this boxing event in La Trinidad is a fund-raising drive whose proceeds are destined to Benguet's kidney patients and the restoration of the St. James High School in the Municipality of Besao in Mountain Province razed by a terrible fire last June 2.
CO-MAIN EVENT DAYER GABUTAN SINGWANCHA VS LANDE OLIN OF INDONESIA FOR WBO ORIENTAL TITLE
In the co-main event, WBO World rated Oriental Bantamweight champion Dayer Gabutan Singwancha (left in the photo), will defend his coveted belt against dangerous Indonesian Lande Olin in the same card on the campus of Benguet State University (BSU) on Saturday October 13.
For Gabutan (18-1-2, 8KO's), the current world's # 4 bantamweight, the bout will be the 6th title defense of the Oriental belt he captured two years ago by outpointing fellow Filipino Jilo Merlin in Angeles City, Pampanga.
In his last combat last May, the 24 year-old Ilocos Sur native scored a unanimous decision win over Dado Cabintoy in Pasig City, Metro Manila.
Gabutan's dangerous opponent is Indonesia's Lande Olin (11-3, 7KO's), a heavy-handed southpaw who has reigned as Indonesia's bantamweight champion, a title he earned by knocking out Muhammad Nurfawaid in two rounds in Jakarta.
According to certification from Captain Anthon Sihombing, chairman of the Indonesia Boxing Commission, the 27 year-old Lande Olin has been fighting professionally since August of 2007 and stands at 1.68m, same as Gabutan.
Both Gabutan and Lande Olin fight with a southpaws stance who throw the right jab and their power hand is the straight left; however, the Indonesian percentage of fights won by knockout is higher than the one of the Filipino.
"That's OK. Gabutan Singwancha is excited to make the sixth defend his Oriental title against an Indonesian who hits hard. Its a good opportunity to showcase his best boxing," said Filipino promoter Brico Santig of Highland Boxing.
Santig went on to say:
"Gabutan is the current world #4, going upwards in the world rankings after the Banal vs Pungluang title fight Oct 20. Banal is #1, Pungluang is #2 and veteran African champion Paulus Ambunda is #3. So Gabutan is aiming at getting the top position, that's the goal. That's why he needs a big win," said Brico Santig.
MORE FIGHTS
Exciting undercards will support the two main events.
In a 10-rounder action in the featherweight division, local Benguet kid Alvin Tam (11-3, 2KO's) will go to to war against Prell Tupas (7-17-4 1KO) of Taguig City.
Also scheduled is undefeated super featherweight Steven Gelawa (2-0, 0KOs), in a collision course with 20 year-old Arnel Taganas (2-5, 1KO) of Butuan, Agusan del Norte.
In addition, Benguet super bantamweight 22 year-old Nathan Bolcio (10-4-1, 4KO's) will see action against crafty veteran Cagayan de Oro's Gerald Ubatay (15-27-9, 2KO's).
Moreover, undefeated 22 year-old Rex Wao (3-0, 2KO's) of Tadian in Mountain Province, will square it off in a 6-rounder in the super bantamweight division with Jonel Borbon (1-3-1, 1KO)
Matchmaker of the card is the experienced man of boxing and former fighter Allan Alegria.
DOORS OPEN AT 4PM
Fights @ BSU in La Trinidad, Benguet on Saturday October 13 begin @ 4pm. Bring your friends.
Ticket Prices: General Admission 150 Filipino Pesos ($ 3.60 Dollars ). Ringside 500 Filipino Pesos ($ 12 Dollars).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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