FANS MOB FISTS OF GOLD II WELCOME CEREMONY
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 24 Jul 2013
MACAU ? A very enthusiastic crowd gathered around the lobby of the Venetian Hotel to greet the protagonists for the 'Fists of Gold II' held this Saturday at the Cotai Arena. The Filipino workers inside the Venetian mixed with the predominantly Chinese crowd to cheer for ALA Gym boxers Milan 'El Metodico' Melindo and Genesis 'Azukal' Servania.
Melindo will be challenging Juan Francisco 'El Gallo' Estrada of Mexico for the WBO/WBA flyweight titles. Servania will be making his overseas debut against former world title challenger Konosuke Tomiyama of Japan.
The stars of this Top Rank card will be the two Chinese boxers, Zou Shiming of mainland China and Rex Tso of Hong Kong.
Zou, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, strode like a rock star with trainer Freddie Roach as they entered the Venetian lobby amidst loud cheers. Zou will make his second pro fight against Jesus Ortega of Mexico. Zou beat another Mexican, Eleazar Valenzuela by unanimous decision in his pro debut last April.
Tso, the Asia Boxing Council continental champion, will be facing Rusalee Samor of Thailand.
ALA Promotions VP Dennis Canete spoke to philboxing before the event and stressed the importance of Melindo's fight not just in terms of where the promotional company is headed but also Melindo is also fighting for two world titles that previously belonged to Brian Viloria.
Also presented during the card's grand opening were IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich of Russia and his challenger Mauricio Javier Munoz of Argentina.
Munoz? trainer Edgar Lucero spoke to philboxing and said that they have prepared a surprise for Gradovich.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum welcomed the fighters to the Venetian Hotel in what promises to be another successful promotion here in the Far East.
Top photo (L-R): Hong Kong's Rex Tso, The Philippines' Milan Melindo, China's Zou Shiming, Top Rank boss Bob Arum, The Philippines' Genesis Servania and Argentina's Mauricio Munoz during the welcoming ceremony at the Venetian Hotel & Casino in Macau Wednesday afternoon.
Milan Melindo grand entrance.
Genesis Servania grand entrance.
Zou Shiming and Freddie Roach grand entrance.
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