Highland Boxers given green light to fight irishman

By Pigeon M. Lobien

Highland boxer given green light to fight Irishman

The Highland Boxing Promotion boxer denied recently by the Games and Amusement Board to fight in Ireland for a world title against a tough Irishman and former world champion can now look forward to the big fight.

After more than 10 days of lobbying with the GAB that he is ready to fight former World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Ryan Burnett, Jelbirt Gomera will now go back to the gym for his chance for world fame.

IRELAND IT IS. Jilbert Gomera, 3rd r with fist, will definetely go to Belfast, Northern Ireland to fight Irishman Ryan Burnett for the WBC International superfeatherweight crown on May 17 at the Ulster gym. With him are Filipino boxing promoters, managers, trainers and fellow boxers after a meeting today, april 27, including manager Brico Santig.

“This is a rare opportunity to pass by,” said Highland owner Brico Santig and manager to the 25 year Gomera, whose credentials were originally deemed below the one required to fight a world class fighter like Burnett.

“But then they heeded our call and thanks to GAB chairman Abraham Mitra and board who allowed our boxer to fight in Ireland,” said Santig, who got the go signal today, from jacky Lou Cacho April 27.

Gomera is to meet Burnett at the Ulster Gym in Belfast, Northern Ireland on May 17 for the World Boxing Council International super-featherweight crown.

On April 16, GAB boxing and contact sports Dioscoro Bautista chief denied Gomera (13-4-0, win-loss-draw card with seven knockouts) the chance when he decided against the granting of a GAB approval to let the boxer fight in Ireland.

Bautista has put to question the capability of Gomera in fighting the Irsihman who only lost once in his 19 fights that saw him unify the bantamweight crown in the WBA as well as in the IBF.

Bautista said that Burnett is a level above Gomera, who has won two of his last three fights and is among the top 15 contenders, which are requirements needed to fight abroad.

While Burnett lost in his last fight, Gomera won but “only” a six rounder fight against Lloyd Jardelisa in November 10 of last year.

Burnett, on the other hand, lost in the WBC super series quarterfinals to Filipino great Nonito Donaire, Jr. due to a fifth round back injury.

Santig appealed the GAB decision since they work within the body’s guideline and that the fight was already sanctioned by the WBC – International.

He said that the decision may have been spurred after Renerio Arizala went into a coma after a sixth round technical knockout loss to Tsuyoshi Tameda recently in Japan.

The 24-year-old journeyman, who had undergone surgery for three and a half hours to relieve pressure from a blood clot that had formed in his brain.

Santig said that GAB may have become stricter in allowing Filipino fighters from boxing abroad.“But then now, we are ready to go and train some more to be properly trained for the big fight. Big break ito para kay Gomera,” he added.

Santig, however, said that Gomera’s earlier denial to fight in Northern Ireland drew negative response from boxers, who took GAB to social media where they attacked the boxing body for its decision.“We are sorry and apologetic about the boxer’s reactions towards the denial of gomera ,but rest assured we will not tolerate any wrong doing and we will not initiate any untoward reaction against the Gab said Santig.