PONTILLAS FACES TAGOE FOR WBA INTERNATIONAL TITLE THIS FRIDAY IN GHANA
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 24 Apr 2013
Pontillas fights in Africa. Brave Filipino super featherweight Ronald Pontillas (15-5-3, 7KO?s) of Las Pi?as, Metro Manila, will have the golden opportunity of battling world-ranked Ghanaian lion Emmanuel Tagoe (20-1, 8KO?s) for the vacant WBA Super Featherweight (130 lbs) International title this Friday (April 26) in the main event of an exciting fight card at the 40,000-seat Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana.
RONALD PONTILLAS READY TO ROCK
At first glance, Ronald Pontillas might seem as an easy prey for the strong Tagoe, the reigning lightweight international champion. But the Filipino has international fight experience of his own and is not afraid for a furious exchange of knuckles with anyone.
In fact, in his last fight in February, the 23-year-old Pontillas fearlessly held his ground during an intense 12-round battle in Bangkok, Thailand, against none other than undefeated Jomthong Chuwatana, the fearsome reigning Muay Thai World Champion, one of the planet's greatest muay thai warriors.
Prior to that memorable battle with Chuwatana, Pontillas registered two impressive wins in Japan, triumphs that highlight Pontillas?s ability to score a win behind enemy lines.
The lefty Pontillas - who is slightly taller than Tagoe - is in the western African country accompanied by trainer Samson Amongo and the experienced man of boxing Brico Santig, winner of the WBC Asian Promoter of the Year award.
Pontillas-Tagoe poster.
Pontillas works out in Ghana.
Ghana crowd during Pontillas workout.
Tagoe with belts.
PISLAG welcomes Pontillas at Ghana airport.
In addition, Pontillas is being supported by the enthusiastic Filipino Association of Ghana (Pagkakaisa Ng Mga Pilipino Sa Ghana-PILSAG), an organization of Pinoys living in Ghana who received Pontillas and his team at Ghana?s Kotoka International Airport with a big banner that read "Akwaaba/Mabuhay Pontillas," a very meaningful gesture that shows the solidarity and union of Pinoys around the world.
Yesterday, Pontillas held a public workout with his trainer Amongo and later on he faced off with his opponent Tagoe during an open air event promoting this Friday's card in Ghana.
Will Ronald "The Unpredictable" Pontillas be able to rock the African boxer with quick power shots the same way he shocked and destroyed Japanese Kota Tokunaga last October in Kyoto, to capture two regional titles and world rankings?
His many fans hope so.
If Pontillas is able to use his speed of hands and feet, his slight advantage in height as well as his damaging right jab to confuse Tagoe, accommodating him for thunderous right straights, then victory could be within reach for the good boy from Las Pi?as.
Pontillas must have heart on Friday, but also keep his head cool to maintain his good boxing while performing his game plan to get the important win.
If under fire, and he will surely be under attack, the Filipino must resort to a good defense, counter punch and slip away with lateral moves, clear the head if necessary and come back with an even a better offensive.
The fight against Tagoe is tough, but Pontillas has developed good fighting skills through his endless hours of sweat, galvanized by years of experience battling tough guys in different rings all over Asia. Yes, the battle will not be easy, but he can win it.
TAGOE, THE LOCAL HERO WILLING TO WIN BY KNOCKOUT
On the other corner, looking toward Pontillas while clinching his two fearsome fists will be local hero Emmanuel ?The Gameboy? Tagoe, a warror born in Accra, Ghana, willing to score a big knockout win over the the Filipino Ronald Pontillas in front of his hometown fans.
Ghana, the name of his country in local language means "Warrior King."
And that is exactly how Tagoe sees himself, as a king. To prove it, Tagoe has amassed quite a collection of shinning boxing belts and he wants more. The current WBA #11 Lightweight is also the reigning 135-pounder international champion and has also been crowned IBF inter-continental titlist, Ghana National champion as well as African super featherweight king.
No doubt Tagoe sees his fight with Ronald Pontillas as a stepping stone in his road to a defining battle for the super featherweight world title either in WBA or WBO.
Why WBO since Emmanuel Tagoe is rated in the WBA, not rated in the Puerto Rico-based organization? Because Tagoe's fight against Pontillas is also valid for the WBO African super featherweight title, a crown Tagoe wants too as the WBO African champion normally gets included among the fifteen in the world ranking.
Tagoe wants to be a world champion for Ghana, the first brave sub-Saharan African nation to gain its independence from colonial powers.
Ghana has produced world class fighters as former world champ Azumah Nelson and current popular bantamweight Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko (who waged exciting wars with Abner Mares).
The weigh-in ceremony, in which Tagoe and Pontillas must weigh no more than 130 lbs (58.97 kilos) will be this Thursday (April 25) in the afternoon.
The Tagoe-Pontillas WBA/WBO title fight is a promotion of Asamoah Gyan of Baby Jet Promotions in association with Alex Ntiamoah-Boakye of Box Office Promotions. Matchmaker is Solomon Otoo Lartey.
The fight will be broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Channel.
Gates at Accra Sports Stadium will open at 7pm the first fight begins at 8pm (Ghana Time).
For tickets call the local Ghana number: 931-229-1952
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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