FISTS OF GOLD II PROMISES ANOTHER SPECTACULAR SHOW (PHOTOS)
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 25 Jul 2013
Shiming (L) and Ortega.
MACAU- China?s golden boxer Zou Shiming (1W-OL) promised a ?fiery fight? this Saturday against Jesus Ortega (3W-1L, 2 KO?s) of Mexico. Zou is set to pocket an estimated half a million dollars for his second pro outing and expectations are high for the two-time Olympic gold medal winner to raise his game.
?Mexico is famous for spicy food and breeding good fighters,? Zou said during the final press conference Thursday at the Venetian Macau Ballroom. ?I also come from a part of China that is famous for chili, so expect a fiery fight.?
Ortega through Zanfer?s Rafael Soto stated that they will bring a surprise on fight night.
Hong Kong?s ?Wonder Kid? Rex Tso (9-0, 6 KO?s) will fight Thai Rusalee Samor(20-4-2, 9 Ko?s) in another feature attraction.
In a battle that is expected to steal the show, Milan ?El Metodico? Melindo (29-0, 12 KO?s) will take on tough Juan Francisco ?El Gallo? Estrada (24-2, 18 KO?s) of Mexico. The Filipino community here in Macau want Melindo to take back the WBO and WBA flyweight belts that Estrada took from Brian Viloria last April.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum has labeled this fight a ?candidate for Fight of the Year?.
Melindo said that he was thankful for the opportunity. ?When I first fought here, I was just seated at the back, looking at the people seated in front and I told myself I want to sit in front of everybody.?
Juan Hernandez of Team Estrada said that they are aware of Melindo?s quality against Tommy Seran. ?Melindo is not the type of fighter you want to face but he is the mandatory challenger, Estrada has fought here before. He came in like a freight train. Estrada will be one of the best pound for pound fighters in the next few years.?
Estrada thanked Melindo for showing up and he told philboxing in a separate interview that he has made special preparations and fans will just see what happens on top of the ring.
Another ALA Gym boxer, Genesis Servania (21-0, 8 KO?s) will make his overseas debut against former world title challenger Konosuke Tomiyama (23-5-1, 8 KO?s) of Japan.
Also attending the event were the ALA gym trainers led by Edito Villamor and Michael Domingo, as well as ALA Promotions VP Dennis Ca?ete.
Evgeny Gradovich (16-0 8KO?s), the ?Mexican Russia? who dethroned Billy Dib of Australia by split decision in Connecticut last March, will make his first title defense against Mauricio Javier Mu?oz (26-3, 12 KO?s) of Argentina.
Mu?oz beat Javier Franco by split decision in an IBF eliminator last October to earn a crack at the title. Two years ago, Mu?oz lost to Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan by ninth round knockout in his attempt to win the WBC super bantamweight title.
In a battle of two unbeaten heavyweights, Andy Ruiz,Jr (19-0, 13 KO?s) of California will face Joe Hanks (21-0, 14 KO?s) of New Jersey. Asia is known for two great heavyweight battles ? The Thrilla in Manila - Ali-Frazier III and Buster Douglas? earth shaking upset over Mike Tyson in Tokyo.
Dave Pe?alosa (6-0, 4 KO?s) of Cebu will make his second appearance in Macau against Wisaruth Wor Khunkhiri of Thailand. Last April, the 22 year old Pe?alosa knocked out Thai Cheroenchai Sithsaithong in two rounds.
The official weigh-in will be on Friday afternoon 3PM at the fight venue, Cotai Arena.
Among the faces in the crowd during the presscon ? former WBO world featherweight champion Mikey Garcia, trainer Robert Garcia and former two-division champ Brandon Rios, who is the scheduled opponent of Manny Pacquiao this November in Macau.
Fists of Gold headliners.
Top Rank's Bob Arum.
Venetian Hotel CEO Edward Stacey.
Zou Shiming (L) and Jesus Ortega.
Melindo on the dais.
Juan Francisco Estrada (L) and Milan Melino.
Evgeny Gradovich (L) and Mauricio Munoz.
Andy Ruiz Jr (L) and Joe Hanks.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025