By Carlos Costa
MANILA, Philippines — Since the iconic “Thrilla in Manila” featuring the legendary Muhammad Ali battling Joe Frazier for the undisputed heavyweight world title at Manila’s Araneta Coliseum in 1975, when was the last time that boxing fans had an exciting heavyweight fight here in the Philippines?
an’t remember, but the next heavyweight rumble on home soil will be on Saturday, June 15, at The Enderun Tent, Azuela Cove in Lanang, Dakbayan
The stars of the
Leading up to the rumble, “The Assassin” Saul Farah has been much more active than the American. The Assassin has already won two heavyweight combats in this year 2019, and won two more last year, while the 33-year-old American has been in zero recent fights.
Clearly, on fighting activity, the Assassin has a solid advantage. Ring rust could be a negative factor for the Las Vegas fighter. However, nobody knows it till the two big men are already trading blows on top of the ring.
Will “The American Dream” Ronald Johnson be able to overcome ring rust to successfully deal with the much more experienced and much more active “Phoenix Assassin and claim the GBO heavyweight title in Thrilla in Davao?”
Or will the more experienced, more active Assassin send Ronald Johnson back to Las Vegas bruised and beaten up?
MORE EXCITING GBO TITLE RUMBLES IN “THRILLA IN DAVAO”
In the show’s co-main event, unbeaten Ifugao bantamweight Roy Nagulman (pictured above) collides against tough 18-year-old Indonesian Jufri Kakahure (4-2, 4 KO’s) for the vacant GBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight strap. It will be the first time that the hard-hitting 17-year-old Roy Nagulman (8-0-1, 6 KO’s) battles a foreign fighter, fans eager to see how Roy performs.
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In another title clash, another unbeaten Ifugao prospect Khurvin Jhon “KJ” Natuplag (8-0-2, 7 KO’s) climbs the ring to battle Reynold “Rey”
Moreover, 23-year-old Sultan Kudarat warrior Cristoval Turog (6-1, 2 KO’s) of the
MORE UNDERCARD FIGHTS FOR “THRILLA IN DAVAO”
In another entertaining combat, undefeated 19-year-old southpaw Ronel Dela Cruz (6-0-1 4 KO) also from Sultan Kudarat collides against dangerous Raymart Ebones in a non-stop action clash. The contracted weight for Dela Cruz and Ebones is 113 pounds. This melee is a scheduled 6-chapter saga that might not make the distance. Who will emerge
The first bout of the exciting show features fast
Billed as “Thrilla in Davao,” the fight of Ronald “The American Dream” Johnson vs “The Phoenix Assassin” Saul Farah for the vacant GBO heavyweight title on June 19 at The Enderun Tent, Azuela Cove in Lanang is a production of enthusiastic promoter Reynaldo Rodis in association with the City Government of Davao.
Gate opens at 5 PM and closes at 7 PM sharp.
Fans are advised to arrive at fight venue on time.
May the best Men Win..!!
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The author Carlos Costa is a boxing reporter living in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and
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