Bacolod's John Michael Zulueta Battles for ABF Strap; Aims at 3rd KO Win in Thailand

By Carlos Costa

BANGKOK, Thailand — Unbeaten world-ranked Minimumweight Filipino John Michael Zulueta – who hails from “The City of Smile,” Bacolod City – can’t wait to climb the ring for another exciting fighting mission when he battles young, heavy-handed Thailander, former Muay Thai combatant, Sittichai Nimnual in a scheduled 10-round war for the vacant Asia Boxing Federation (ABF) Light Flyweight Belt September 28 at the posh SpacePlus Night Club here in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand.

Focused on making his mark in his beloved sport of boxing, John Michael Zulueta has been in constant training at the Highland Boxing Gym in Bangkok under the guidance of experienced Cebuano coach, former world champion Joemarie Gamboa.

The friendly Zulueta, currently ranked as WBA # 14, also counts in his trainings with the valuable help of his Highland teammate Bacoleño kababayan 118-pounder Herlan Herlan Sixto Gomez (5-0, 2 KO’s). Gomez, on his part, is scheduled to see action on October 1 at the same venue in Bangkok.

Importantly, in his mind and his heart, John Michael Zulueta aims at his 3rd consecutive knockout victory in Thailand, Land of Smiles, a feat not easy at all… although not impossible for the strong and skilled 27-year-old born in Calatrava, Negros Occidental.

Zulueta’s two prior stoppage triumphs here in Thailand have been a round 5 TKO win over Indonesian Jack Amisa last May, and the quick and thrilling ravaging of Thai fighter Somphon Banyaem last August.

Will Nimnual be John Michael Zulueta’s next KO victim?

If Zulueta (13-0-2, 6 KO’s) indeed does win by KO, he will have achieved three consecutive stoppage wins, a feat easier said than done.

Only one Pinoy fighter in history has claimed four straight KO wins here in Thailand. Wao. That Filipino warrior is world-ranked Adrian Lerasan (12-4, 5 KO’s) of the Highland Team, a super hard-punching super flyweight, strong as a lion, who would love to fight Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.

Billed as “Fight of the Future,” John Michael Zulueta’s rumble September 28 at the starry SpacePlus Night Club is another production of award-winning Filipino promoter Brico Santig in association with Thai man of boxing Supanat Chanram and boxing-loving entrepreneur Tony Chen.

Zulueta of the Philippines vs Sittichai of Thailand: 10 Rounds of Action for the ABF Light Flyweight Title. May the Best Man Win!

The author Carlos Costa of Panama is a veteran boxing reporter based in Asia. Carlos can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152.