TOQUERO VS KAKUTANI FOR WBC YOUTH TITLE OCT 4 IN LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET; PACQUIAO'S COUSIN BATTLES GARCIA AND MORE!
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 22 Sep 2014
Boxing fans in La Trinidad, Benguet, have reasons to be cheerful as exciting boxing returns to their city, the "Strawberry Capital of the Philippines." In the main event, slick southpaw Argie "Bomba" Toquero, a prot?g? of the Manny Pacquiao Gym, is set to collide with "The Samurai" Takaya Kakutani (7-4, 6 KO's) of Osaka, Japan, for the vacant WBC Youth World super featherweight title on October 4 at La Trinidad Munipal Gym in Benguet, Philippines.
The 21-year-old Toquero (7-3-1, 5 KO's), who comes from knocking out four of his last five opponents, aims at punishing the Nippon warrior for his daring of punishing his friend Mike "Tyson" Tumbaga last year in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.
But Kakutani, a former PBF light welterweight (140 lbs) champ who belongs to the popular Green Tsuda Boxing Club of Osaka, Japan, wants so bad the WBC Youth 130 lbs strap.
Will Toquero be able to handle the hard-hitting Kakutani to grab the shinning brand new WBC Youth Champion Belt? Or will the 23-year-old Japanese scalp yet another Pinoy?
SPECIAL ATTRACTION: PACQUIAO'S COUSIN IN ACTION
Also, as special attraction, unbeaten hard-hitting General Santos City super featherweight Joneil Dapidran Pacquiao, cousin of super star Manny Pacquiao, will look for his sixth victory when he climbs the ring to battle brave Pampangue?o Jeffrey Garcia in a six-round combat.
Joneil Pacquiao comes from knocking out fellow Filipino Gabby Siempo in the very first round just four weeks ago in Davao. He is not southpaw as his cousin, but he loves to attack and thrill fans.
In May the young Pacquiao devastated Japanese Yoshinobu Arai. Jhofel Camo-Camo was Pacquiao's victim in February.
Now we are in September. Will Jeffrey Garcia stop Pacquiao to end up the party?
Or will the young Pacquiao score yet another devastating knock out win to press forward his young, ascending career?
You have to be at La Trinidad Municipal Gym to witness!
MORE FIGHTS
In the co-main event, the popular Dayer "Die Hard" Gabutan, a former WBO Oriental bantamweight (118 lbs) champion, is back in the ring to exchange fire with the tough 22-year-old Mike Carl Espanosa of Bacolod, Negros Occidental, in a non-title 8-rounder wild west rumble in the featherweight division.
In another war, "The Warai Warrior" Mateo Handig (13-6, 7 KO's) returns to action after one year off the grid to take on Julious Bala (3-2, 1 KO) of the Fernando Alvarez Boxing Stable of Para?aque in 6 rounder in the flyweight division.
Bala is Spanish means "Bullet." If Julius Bala make honor to his last name fighting as fast as a bullet, then Mateo Handig is in serious trouble, especially since Handig might be cold after one year inactivity. That is why the first round of their showdown will be so pivotal.
What happened to the inactive Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez when he faced Cotto? What transpired in the first round? To some fans, Martinez was cold. Needed time to warm up and be the fast slick fighter he has always been. Cotto gave him no chance.
After one year away from boxing, could the same fate happend to Handig?
Back in 2012, Handig was so active and sharp, winning a razor-thin split-decision over world rated Japanese Katsunari Takayama (27-7, 10 KO's) in a 12-rounder clash for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific minimumweight (105 lbs) belt in La Trinidad, and most fans thought that Handig would go on the fight for a world strap.
Instead, destiny had it that it was Takayama the one who went on to fight for a world title and won it.
However, at 25 years of age, Handig can still re-take his boxing career and pursue his dream of fighting for a world title. That's why his October 4 battle against Julious "Bullet" Bala is so crucial in this come back.
In the fight, Handig has the experience. But he comes from a lost in Mexico a year ago, has been long time away from the gym. He used to fight in minimumweight and now gets into the flyweights. Handig might have ring rust. That remains to be seen.
"Bullet" Bala has been more active and close to the gym, but he has fought only 5 times in his career. In contrast, Handig has climb the ring 19 times! We shall see what happens.
MORE THRILLING CLASHES
Local 24-year-old Nathan Bolcio (11-6-2, 4 KO's) of Kapangan, Benguet, and his opponent the experienced 48-fight veteran Danelo Pe?a, born in Tiwi, Albay Province, want some of the spotlight too, as the two will tangle in a non-title eight-rounder in the featherweight division.
Both Bolcio and Pe?a are real warriors, fighters who have proven their big heat in the ring. Bolcio, the Benguet fighter, has clashed against some of the toughest and meanest bantamweights in Asia, including Tabtimdaeng, Pungluang, Tomoki Kameda and the dangerous Thai featherweight Chonlatarn. That says it all.
Yes, Bolcio lost against those vicious tigers and his trips to Thailand and Japan were harsh wars where he got beaten. But he was never afraid. Far from that, Bolcio, always went forward against the enemy exchanging dynamite, proving his bravery.
Pe?a, 32, is equally tough and committed to boxing, having faced dangerous warriors in a 12 year fighting career.
That is why the Bolvio vs Pe?a fight will thrill fans.. and for me, I could not pick a winner, I just have the feeling that this will be an awesome fight.
Sure,, Bolcio is much younger and will be the crowd's favorite. But Pe?a will not back away. He has lost fights before, true. But this battle against Bolcio he does not want to lose. Its a matter of honor.
Moreover, Jhunar "Vanish" Rivas (1-2-1, 0 KO's) of Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, will see action against debutant Gerry Kalaw of Batangas in a 4-round affair in a super bantamweight division.
In addition, Cebuano Jr. Flyweight Jeven Villacete will deal with local fighter Benjamin Bartolome of Barangay Beckel in La Trinidad in a six rounder in the 108 lbs weight class division. The fans at the LT Gym will be with the home town kid Bartolome for sure. So, Villacete will have to tough it up and may the best man to win.
The card is a production of local promoter Brico Langbay Santig, director of Highland Boxing, in association with AFS Promotions and the support of the government of the Municipality of La Trinidad, with special thanks to the support of Lorna Aquino, Maryjane Gacad, Aileen & Ferdie Syskowski, Ruben Bugnosen and Paul Cuyupan.
Matchmaker: Ericson Santig.
Doors at LT Municipal Gym open at 5pm. The first rumble begins at 6pm. You plan to miss all the action?
It will be an exciting evening of boxing! Bring your family and friends. Tickets cost only 100 pesos.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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