MATEO HANDIG HEADS TO M?XICO FOR IBF WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 03 Jun 2013
In a Canelo Alvarez Boxing Promotions event, Filipino IBF #1 world-ranked Mateo Handig (13-5-0, 7KO) of Samar (LEFT), will battle Mexican former WBC Silver Champion G?nigan "El Zurdo" L?pez (22-5-0, 15KO) in an 12-rounder IBF Minimumweight eliminator on June 29 in Ciudad de M?xico.
The winner becomes mandatory world title challenger of IBF Minimumweight world champion Katsunari Takayama (26-6, 10 KO's) of Osaka, Japan, whom Mateo Handig defeated in a razor thin split decision clash last October in La Trinidad, Philippines.
In May of last year, the 31-year-old Mexican southpaw G?nigan L?pez was pulverized in two rounds by outstanding Filipino Denver Cuello (33-4-6, 21 KO's) in Guanajuato, M?xico.
But G?nigan has bounced back with two straight wins, the most recent a knockout victory over unheralded fellow Mexican Josue Vega last January.
Will the 23-year-old "Warai Warrior" Mateo Handig be able to knock out G?nigan L?pez in M?xico, the same way compatriot Denver Cuello did last year?
Or will the tough and serious G?nigan make Handig pay for the severe beating up handed to him by Cuello? (see photos)
The victorious in the G?nigan-Handig clash will will go on to dispute the IBF world title to the Japanese world champion Takayama, while the defeated will go back to the drawing board.
Fight contracts for the G?nigan-Handig have already been signed by Mexican matchmaker Eddy Reynoso of Canelo Promotions, fighter Mateo Handig and WBC Asian Promoter of the year Brico Santig of Highland Boxing of Baguio, Philippines.
Filipinos Cayetano "Jun" Gandeza Jr. of Kambal Kamao Boxing Promotions of Batangas and Brico Santig of Highland Boxing in Benguet will accompany Mateo Handig in the important combat in land of M?xico.
The G?nigan-Handig clash for the IBF Minimumweight Eliminator is a presentation of Canelo Promotions, Boxeo de Gala and Grupo Modelo and will broadcast live by Televisa.
Photos of the Cuello-G?nigan fight (below) courtesy of Canelo Promotions
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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