TABUGON, MAKAZOLE MAKE WEIGHT

Challenger Raymond Tabugon (left) and IBF Continental Africa super flyweight champion Makazole Tete after their weigh-in July 29.

By LITO DELOS REYES

MANILA – Filipino challenger Raymond “Tornado” Tabugon and reigning IBF Continental Africa super flyweight champion Makazole “The Professor” Tete both made their weights yesterday for their championship fight on July 30 (Manila time) at the Orient Theatre in East London in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Tete submitted 113 lbs. while Tabugon, who is accompanied by his trainer Dondon Jimenea, only had 112 lbs.

It will be Tete’s first title-defense of the vacant crown he won via a knockout against Ramadhan Kumbele last June 17 at the Orient Theatre in East London.

“I have trained seven weeks for this fight. And I will bring another title back home,” said Tabugon, who has 18 wins against 4 losses and 1 draw.

Tete is toting 15 wins with 10 knockouts against only 1 loss and 1 draw. He is also the IBO Inter-Continental flyweight champion and had previously defended it via a unanimous decision against Armando Torres last September 25.

Tete, however, bowed to his fellow countryman Gideon Buthelezi by a UD in their battle for the vacant IBO World super flyweight crown last December 18 at the Orient Theatre.

Tabugon last won by capturing the PBF super flyweight title by a TKO against Renante Suacasa on March 8, 2016 in T’boli, South Cotabato.

“Tabugon won in South Africa before and he is confident he will do the same thing against Tete,” said Sanman Promotions chief executive officer Jim Claude Manangqil,

Tabugon is a former IBO Inter-Continental light flyweight champion. He won it via a UD win over Luzuko Siyo on December 12, 2014 also at Orient Theatre.

Tabugon is also a former WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental flyweight champion via a UD victory over then undefeated Jake Bornea last April 24, 2014 in General Santos City.

Pitted in the main supporting bout is the title-fight for the vacant IBO Inter-Continental minimumweight crown between Daluxolo Mangcotywa (9-4-3) and Siphamanda Baleni (8-1-1).