Rolando Magbanua.
The Cebu summer will get hotter this April 25 with another exciting Cebu Coliseum fight card involving the Braveheart boxers.
No. Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Pinol's boys are back and eager to make an explosive follow up to their highly successful Cebu Coliseum debut last February.
Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua will be defending his WBO Interim Oriental bantamweight belt against a Thailander with a tongue twister of a name, Wanpadejseuk Sithsaithong (13 W - 6 L, with 7 KO's). Magbanua has a record of 12W-0L with 5 KO?s. He had a smashing title win last February when he beat Mexico?s Jose Angel Cota. Magbanua battered the Mexican from pillar to post to score a 6th round stoppage win. This was the No.Cotabato native's second appearance here in Cebu. Last December 2008, he fought at the Mandaue Sports Complex and won by third round TKO over Thiti Sithkosol of Thailand.
Another highly anticipated match-up in this fight card involves WBO Oriental jr.flyweight titlist Bert "The Ninja" Batawang (40-11-1, 36KO's) against Edrin "The Sting" Dapudong (13-2-0, 7KO's). Dapudong also fought here last February and won via eight round unanimous decision over Ruther del Castillo. This will be a big test for the up and coming Dapudong if he can overcome the experience gap against the battle tested champion.
Batawang and Dapudong lost to a common opponent ? recent Cebu visitor Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia. Prior to his bout with Milan Melindo, I interviewed Rachman about the highs and lows of his career. He singled out Batawang as a very tough opponent and a hard puncher.
Richard Betos (7-1, 3 KO's) will be facing undefeated South Korean Jonghwa Lee (8-0, 1KO) in an eight round tussle.
Miniflyweight Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo, 19, (12 wins, 2 losses, 10 KOs) and undefeated featherweight Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva, 22, who holds a record of 13 wins with 13 knockouts will also be facing separate opponents.
This fight card will also feature a first in Philippine boxing - live coverage via the internet for free. Fight fans can access the fight at www.pinoyboxingtv.com and www.philboxingtv.com. Ticket prices are also affordable at 300 pesos ringside, 200 lower box and 100 pesos upper box.
Cebu City promoter Sammy Gello-ani and Vice Gov. Manny Pinol of Braveheart Boxing are co-promoting this fight card. They held a press briefing Monday morning at the Rajah Park Hotel in Cebu City. Trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. and WBO Oriental 118 lb. titlist Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon also attended the presscon. They plan to have Maraon stage a title defense in his father's hometown of Makrohon, So. Leyte during the town fiesta.
There will be another press conference this Thursday at the SCOOP forum at the Baseline restaurant.
Co-promoters Manny Pinol and Sammy Gello-ani demonstrate to the media how to access the link that will allow fans to watch this Saturday's boxing event via "live streaming" on the internet.
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