THREE PINOY CONTENDERS SET FOR WORLD TITLE SHOTS
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 11 Nov 2012
MANILA(PNA) - Three more Filipino fighters have earned a crack at world boxing titles in their respective divisions next year following their recent victories.
World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental bantamweight champion Dayer Gabutan of Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur, who recently defended his 118-pound regional crown with a quick seventh round demolition of Indonesian Lande Olin, will be rewarded for his efforts by securing the right to dispute the WBO bantamweight world title belt against the winner of the fight between champion Pungluang Sor Singyu vs. Paulus Ambunda early next year.
Rey Migreno, the pride of Katipa, Misamis Occidental and the new WBC International flyweight titleholder, on the other hand, stands to meet WBC 112-pound champ Toshiyuki Igarashi of Japan also in the first quarter of 2013, announced trainer Joven Jorda last Friday during the SCOOP session at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura.
Mateo Handig. likewise, became the mandatory challenger to International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight titlist Mario Rodriguez of Mexico following his split decision victory over Japanese two-time belt-owner Katsunari Takayama. Handig, who like Gabutan and Migreno, belongs to the Highland Boxing stable managed by Brico Santig and supported by Gregorio Abalos and Naris Singwancha.
The much-awaited Handig-Rodriguez title encounter is scheduled January 27 in Mexico City, while those of Gabutan and Migreno will be held at a time and place still to be decided, Santig said during the SCOOP session, sponsored by Powerade, AKTV and FILA.
The 24-year-old Gabutan (19-1-2, 9 KO?s) is so far undefeated in his last 12 fights. Migreno has beaten former WBC world champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam black and blue in a technical knockout triumph last November 1 in Thailand.
The three Filipino fighters assured SCOOP members that they can beat their respective opponents and bring honor to the country with the championship belts in their possession when they return home.
?Handang-handa na po kaming lumaban at manalo ng korona para sa ating bayan,? The three chorused during the public service forum, adding they have been training for the last four months to attain their goals.
Should they succeed, Gabutan, Migreno and Handig will be joining WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, WBO flyweight king Brian Viloria, WBO light flyweight champ Donnie Nietes and IBF light flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero on top of the boxing world.
(Photo ? left to right ? Dayer Gabutan, Mateo Handig, Rey Migreno)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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