Almacen, Ganoza arrive to be sparring partners of Taduran

By LITO DELOS REYES

DAVAO CITY – Reigning Philippine Youth minimumweight champion Jonathan “Pretty Boy” Almacen of Muntinlupa and southpaw Cris “Ai Ai” Ganoza of Leyte both arrived today (Jan. 12) to be sparring partners of IBF World minimumweight champion Pedro “Kid Pedro Heneral” Taduran in Bangar, La Union.

They are expected to start tomorrow.

The 24-year-old Taduran (14W-2L-1D, 11K0s) will face No. 3 contender Rene Mark Cuarto (18W-2L-2D, 11KOs) of Zamboanga del Norte on Feb. 27 at the Lagao Gym in Gen. Santos City.

Almacen (7W-3L-2D, 2KOs) defeated Roldan Sasan of Bohol by a unanimous decision last Nov. 18, 2019, in Southern Quezon Convention Center, Gumaca.

The 21-year-old Almacen earlier won the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council Silver minimumweight title over Xiang Li of China by a UD last Nov. 18, 2018, at Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Ganoza (18W-3L-0D, 9KOs), on the other hand, scored a knockout over Powell Balaba of Bohol in the 5th round last Dec. 14, 2019, at The Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex, Paranaque City.

He earlier lost by a unanimous decision to ArAr Andales of Samar for the WBC Asia minimumweight title last April 13, 2019, at Quibors Boxing Gym in Bacoor, Cavite.