TUNACAO FLIES TO JAPAN FOR OPBF TITLE DEFENSE
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 10 Jan 2007
Reigning Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight champion Malcolm Tunacao is set to depart for Japan tomorrow as he embarks on a titular defense against Rolly Matsushita on Saturday at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Also flying out to Tokyo is Philippine bantamweight champion Michael Domingo, who will be seeing action in the undercard against Japanese Kazuyuki Ichikawa in a ten-round non-title duel.
This will be Tunacao's third defense of the OPBF title he won in late 2005, which he successfully defended twice last year.
Matsushita, formerly known as Rolly Lunas, is a Japan-based Filipino fighter who used to rule as the Pan-Asia Boxing Association (PABA) flyweight champion. Since getting based in Japan, he has been unbeaten in two fights, although he remains a heavy underdog against the very talented Tunacao, who once reigned as the WBC flyweight world champion.
"I've sparred more than 100 rounds for this fight at the ALA Gym and RWS gym in Cebu. I'm very thankful to Sir ALA (sportsman Tony Aldeguer) for allowing me to train in his gym and for expressing his whole-hearted support," Tunacao said in an interview yesterday.
If successful, Tunacao said he wants to talk to his manager, Tokyo businessman Yasuo Matsuoka, to negotiate for him a crack at WBC bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa, who is set to defend his title on April 29 in Kobe, Japan.
"That would be an exciting fight," Tunacao said on a possible duel with Hasegawa, although he maintains he is not looking past the durable Rolly Matsushita.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
BOXING LEGEND MANNY PACQUIAO LAUNCHES “MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS” IN THE UNITED STATES
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BOOTS HUNTING THE BIG FISH AT 154LBS
Thu, 02 Oct 2025IBA Unveils Historic 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships as Part of a Spectacular Two-Week ‘Festival of Boxing’ in Dubai with Unprecedented $8 Million Prize Pool
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Final Bell for 2025 USA Boxing National Open Event National Open Event Concludes with 1,870 Registered Participants in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Thu, 02 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 15: JOE FRAZIER’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 02 Oct 2025World Boxing relocates Congress 2025 to Rome
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 01 Oct 2025JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 01 Oct 2025CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
Wed, 01 Oct 2025USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
Wed, 01 Oct 2025Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Oct 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Canelo Alvarez Facing Extended Layoff After Crawford Loss; Surgery Confirms Injury Rumors
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 30 Sep 2025Dante Stone is last American standing in Inaugural WBC Grand Prix
Tue, 30 Sep 2025Age Defying Triumph: At Age 50 Toshihiko Era Wins World Title
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 30 Sep 2025