Heavyweights in the Philippines: “The American Dream” Ronald Johnson vs “The Assassin” Saul Farah Headline June 15 in “Thrilla in Davao”

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 sa Dabaw!

The stars of the special presentation are American heavyweight former WBC United States (USNBC) champion Ronald “The American Dream” Johnson (15-1, 4 KO’s) of Las Vegas, Nevada  —   who has been trained by none other than Floyd Mayweather Sr.  —   locking horns in a scheduled 12-round battle against experienced big Bolivian warrior former WBC interim South American Heavyweight titlist “The Phoenix Assassin” Saul Farah (69-23-3, 60 KO’s), a clash for the vacant Global Boxing Organization (GBO) heavyweight belt that no boxing fan in Davao can afford to miss.

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” Kundimang (4-1-3, 1 KO) of Indonesia for the Global Boxing Organization (GBO) Bantamweight Strap.  Let’s find out if the young heavy-puncher KJ Natuplag pushes forward his young boxing career.   Nevertheless, a defensive mistake against the Indonesia fighter could be disastrous.

Moreover, 23-year-old Sultan Kudarat warrior Cristoval Turog (6-1, 2 KO’s) of the Kaamino Stable squares off the more-experienced Orlie Silvestre (13-5-1, 8 KO’s ) of Isulan, the capital city of the Kapuoran sang Sultan Kudarat, in an eight-rounder war for the GBO Asia Pacific Flyweight Strap.   The promising Cristoval Turog is one of the competitor boxers in the new GerryPens Promotions UBS reality TV show series to be aired on June 2 on ESPN5. 

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 victorious?

The first bout of the exciting show features fast ‘n furious Gabriel Dasan (4-2, 2 KO’s) exchanging heavy bombardment against the equally dangerous Nilo Entero in a four-chapter duel.   The contracted weight for the two warriors is 109 lbs, which is one pound above the light flyweight division.

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 whatsapp/viber/wechat:  +639184538152.

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