Pumicpic to challenge for Iwasa?s OPBF belt and break into WBC?s rankings
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Feb 2014
Bantamweight prospect Richard ?The Beast? Pumicpic of Zamboanga del Norte will travel to The Land of the Rising Sun next month to battle Ryosuke Iwasa for the Japanese fighter?s Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation 118 pound belt.
Pumicpic originally from the province of Zamboanga del Norte is slated to fight Chiba, Japan?s Iwasa on March 25 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Iwasa, 24, has a record of 16 wins against 1 loss, with 10 of his wins by knockout. He is the number 1 ranked challenger in the bantamweight division of the World Boxing Council (W.B.C.). The current WBC 118 pound belt is held by his countryman, Shinsuke Yamanaka of Tokyo.
Pumicpic, 23, carries a record of 14 wins, 5 losses and 2 draws, 5 of his wins are by stoppages. He is also ranked in the WBC, but is far number 32 in its current rankings.
Pumicpic is not only hoping to grab Iwasa?s belt but is also looking to improve his ranking in the W.B.C. if he wins over his Japanese opponent. His manager, Anson Tiu-Co of MAG Pacman Boxing Promotions, is anticipating a boost to Pumicpic?s WBC rankings if he stops Iwasa next month.
?Kapag manalo ako nito, ako ang hahawak nang OPBF belt sa 118 po at hahanay po siguro ako sa pang sampo sa WBC". Pumicpic told Philboxing.com.
(If I win here, I will be holding the OPBF belt at 118 and probably be in the top 10 of the WBC.)
The young Filipino bantamweight who has been training since January is splitting camps between Baguio City and Manila to train for the said fight. He is trained by veteran trainer, Artemio ?Mang Tembong? del Rosario and is being assisted by Jeffrey Linay.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910
Photo: Pumicpic (R) connects at Lugo. Photo by Wendell Alinea/
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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