NORTH COTABATO'S CHAMP EDRIN DAPUDONG DEFENDS IBO TITLE IN SOUTH AFRICA JULY 18
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Jul 2014
Dapudong.
Davao City - North Cotabato's first world boxing champion, Edrin "The Sting" Dapudong, returns to South Africa next week to defend his International Boxing Organization (IBO) Superflyweight crown against Zulu Lwandile Sityatha in East London July 18.
It will be Dapudong's first defense of the title he won in June last year with a first round knockout scored over erstwhile champion Gideon Buthelezi in Johannesburg to whom he lost by a controversial split decision six months earlier.
The July 18 fight, which has already been sanctioned by IBO President Edward Levine, ends the long wait for Dapudong to defend his title following the cancellation of a scheduled bout with another South African, Zolani Tete, in February of this year.
That was followed by an aborted plan by a group of American and British promoters to stage a fund-raising boxing event in Manila last May 25 for Typhoon Yolanda victims which was supposed to feature Sugar Shane Mosley with Dapudong fighting in the undercard.
Now managed by a newly-established sports management firm, Sonshine Sports Management which is handled by his long-time manager former North Cotabato Gov. Manny Pinol and backed by popular religious leader Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, Dapudong has been training for the past two months in the Manny Pacquiao Gym in Toril, Davao City under the supervision of Pacquiao's assistant trainer, Nonoy Neri and assistant trainer Rex Penalosa.
"I know the risks of fighting in South Africa. I have to win by knockout," Dapudong said.
Dapudong holds the record of being the first Filipino to win a world championship in South Africa after over 20 attempts.
In fact, he too, failed in his first attempt to win the then vacant IBO Superflyweight title when he lost to Buthelezi after 12 rounds which saw him sending the South African to the canvas for a mandatory 8-count in the 9th round.
Against Sityatha who is largely unknown, Dapudong is prepared to expect the unexpected.
"Kailangan talaga dito ma-dominate ko ang laban pero mas maganda kung knockout para wala nang peligro," he said. (I need to dominate this fight but it is best that I score a knock out so that there will be no more risks.)
Neri, who is employing the training techniques employed by Pacquiao's training team, said Dapudong is in the best of shape.
The Philippine team, composed of Gov. Pinol, Dapudong, Neri and Penalosa, will leave for South Africa on July 12, two heads earlier than scheduled.
"We have to be there early to give Dapudong enough rest because the trip is very long," said Gov. Pinol.
The trip will start in Davao City with a 6-hour stop in Singapore before a long 14-hour trip to Johannesburg.
"We will shoulder our own expenses during the first two days of our arrival in South Africa just to make sure that Dapudong is in top shape for the fight," he said.
The fight against Sityatha is part of the contractual obligations the Dapudong team signed prior to the championship bout against Buthelezi.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Tapales, Canoy to fight in Gensan on April 27
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 10 Apr 2025IBA President Umar Kremlev’s address: IBA remains a tour de force for boxers worldwide
Thu, 10 Apr 2025BOOTS AND STANIONIS FACE-OFF AHEAD OF ATLANTIC CITY BLOCKBUSTER
Thu, 10 Apr 2025Triple Championship Showdown in Bacolod on May 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 10 Apr 2025Rafael Espinoza and Emiliano Fernando Vargas Host Mexico City Press Conference
Thu, 10 Apr 2025GM Antonio finishes 2nd, IM Bagamasbad settles for 3rd in Melbourne
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 10 Apr 2025ACTRESS AND PRODUCER SYDNEY SWEENEY NAMED 2025 BOXING HALL OF FAME WEEKEND PARADE OF CHAMPIONS GRAND MARSHAL
Thu, 10 Apr 2025WBO Awards Lightweight Champion Keyshawn Davis The World Title He Won In February
Thu, 10 Apr 2025Cruiserweight Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki Injured Forced to withdraw from May 3rd world title fight in Saudi Arabia vs. WBC Champion Badou Jack
Thu, 10 Apr 2025The Past Week in Action 8 April 2025: Alimkhanuly Stops Ngamissengue to Retain IBF/WBO Titles; Hrgovic Outpoints Joyce; Torrez Decisions Vianello; Tszyu TKOs Spencer in 4
By Eric Armit, Wed, 09 Apr 2025Marlon Tapales' WBC International Title Showdown Moved to April 27 in Gensan
Wed, 09 Apr 2025Arnold Gonzalez & Mikiah Kreps Featured April 18th in Niagara Falls
Wed, 09 Apr 2025BREAKING NEWS WBC CONFIRMS ROZICKI IS OUT OF CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT; CHAMP IN RECESS MIKAELIAN READY TO STEP IN
Wed, 09 Apr 2025Oscar Collazo Receives WBO Ring for Five Successful Title Defenses
Wed, 09 Apr 2025Lessons From Wasted Youth in Boxing: The Sad Boxing Saga of Rey Bautista, AJ Banal and Ciso Morales
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 09 Apr 2025