BAKBABAKAN SA PRES. ROXAS SEPT. 17

By LITO DELOS REYES

DAVAO CITY (Sept. 8) – An explosive boxing card dubbed as the “Bakbakan sa Pres. Roxas” is set on September 17 at the Pres. Roxas Municipal Gym in Pres. Roxas, North Cotabato featuring the comeback of former Philippine bantamweight champion Glenn “The Rock” Porras.

Porras, now 31, last saw action when he fought for the WBO Latino bantamweight title against Puerto Rican Jose Nieves on December 7, 2012 at the Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida, USA.

Porras, however, lost by a second round knockout to Nieves. He then immediately hang up his gloves with a record of 28 wins with 17 knockouts and only four losses and no draw.

The southpaw from M’lang, North Cotabato was formerly managed by then-Gov. Manny Pinol, who is now the Agrarian Secretary of President Rody Duterte.

Porras is also a former WBO Asia Pacific Youth bantamweight champion and former Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) bantamweight champion.

Porras, who now is promoted and managed by Jilson Basang of MB Boxing Promotions will be facing 28-year old Renante Suacasa of Koronadal City in the main event.

Suacasa (7-17-0) last won against Raymond Dayham by a split decision last year in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. Suacasa also fought but lost for the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) super flyweight title against Raymond Tabugon by a TKO last March 8 at the T’boli Municipal gym.

Suacasa, a former Minproba bantamweight champion is also now hungry for a victory after losing his last three fights.

Before Tabugon, Suacasa bowed to Virgel Vitor by a split and lastly to Vincent Astrolabio by a unanimous decision last June 4 at the Almendras gym in Davao City.

The co-main event of the “Bakbakan sa Pres. Roxas” card will feature hometown hero Arnold Garde (6-3-2) against Ian Ligutan (6-4-2) of Bayabas, Surigao del Sur in the light flyweight division.

Garde, who trains at the Empire Davao Gym, has won all his last three fights – Rodel Tejares (TKO), Jhonny Belo (KO) and Rafael Sueno (UD).

Ligutan, on the other hand, dropped a unanimous decision to Rene Mark Cuarto last June 4 at Almendras gym.

Pitted in the undercard are Joey Antonio against Jessie Boyles; Sonny Basanez vs. Hagibis Quinones; Arnold Montales vs. Rogelio Boyles.