
TUNACAO IN OPBF TITLE BOUT AGAINST ROLLY MATSUSHITA!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 14 Dec 2006
Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight champion Malcolm Tunacao will defend his title for the first time against a compatriot when he takes on Rolly Matshushita(formerly Lunas) in a 12-round tiff on January 13 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
This will be a battle between two Filipinos now managed by Japanese boxing managers.
The southpaw Tunacao, the former WBC flyweight champion, had won the OPBF title with a one-sided decision win over ex-champ Kumarnthong Por Pluemkamol of Thailand late last year in a fight also held in Tokyo.
"My next fight has been confirmed for January 13 against Lunas. This will be a tough battle," said Tunacao in an interview over the weekend.
Tunacao, managed by Japan's Yasuo Matsuoka, then successfully defended it twice against Japanese challengers, before earning a non-title win in his last fight against Masahito Igawa last November 11.
Lunas, now managed by Naoyuki Kashimi and using his sponsor name Matsushita, is the former PABA flyweight and RP flyweight champion.
Also seeing action are former WBF champ William Magahin and hot featherweight prospect Michael Farenas of Kosuke Washio/Gerry Penalosa Stable.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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