Denver Cuello 118, Amisa 115 for ABF Belt; Sonny Boy Jaro 123, Simanjuntak 125 in The Philippines (Photos + Full Weigh-in Report)

By Carlos Costa

MAKATI CITY, Metro Manila — Former WBC Silver titlist “The Excitement” Denver Cuello and former WBC World Champion Sonny Boy Jaro are back in combat mode against Indonesian foes Saturday, March 8 at Angono Stadium in Rizal Province, Philippines, 30 Km east of the Philippine’s Capital, Manila.

In the main event, popular Denver Cuello (36-5-6, 24 KO’s), the brave young warrior who battled a 12-round world-title clash in Dubai with one detached shoulder, returns to action after an almost 4-year silence, aiming at making up for the missed time.

The talented Cuello, now 32, made 118 lbs while veteran Indonesian Jack Amisa, a combatant of 68 wars, came-in at 115 lbs for their 10-rounder battle for the vacant Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) Bantamweight Belt.

In the co-main feature, Sonny Boy Jaro (44-14-5, 31 KO’s), a former WBC world champion — as well as Linear, and Ring Magazine champion — stepped-in at 123 pounds as taller Boido Simanjuntak of Indonesia recorded 125 lbs ahead of their non-title 8-chapter saga.

Sonny Boy Jaro 123 lbs (L) Boido Simanjuntak 125 for their non-title 8-Rounder Clash

Known years ago as the “Filipino Cinderella Man,” Sonny Boy Jaro, 36, won his green and golden world-title belt back in early 2012 by ending the long tenure as world belt-holder of then “WBC Champion of the Decade” Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (91-5-2, 47 KO’s) in Thailand; but lost it in a split decision later that year in Japan to Toshiyuki Igarashi (23-3-3, 12 KO’s).

Robert Udtohan 134, KJ Natuplag 134 for their 10-rounder Lightweight clash

In lightweights, undefeated hard-hitting Highland fighter KJ “The Ipugo” Natuplag (7-0-1, 6 KO’s) of Cabarroguis in Quirino Province, and the more-experienced Robert “Battlin’ Bert” Udtohan (24-5-3, 15 KO’s) of Digos City, Davao del Sur, came both at 134 pounds for their 10-stanza battle match. Its the young gun against the experienced warrior. Who will prevail?

EXCITING WOMEN’S BOXING

In girls boxing, cute Filipina woman warrior “Chay” Carleans Rivas (6-6-4, 0 KO’s) of Rizal Province and 24-year-old Floryvic Montero (4-6, 2 KO’s) of Angeles City, Pampanga made identical weight of 112 pounds for their 6-rounder collision for the GAB Philippines Female Flyweight Championship.

Carlean Rivas (L) 112, Florivic Montero 112 Ready for GAB Women’s Flyweight Belt

The two women already fought an entertaining, exciting non-stop battle in Makati back in 2017 with Carleans winning a close hard-fought majority decision. Who will win this time around?

Jessebel Pagaduan 106 lbs (L), Aisah Alico 104 for their 6-rounder Battle

In more girls action, Jessebelle Pagaduan (10-1, 4 KO’s), back in the ring after her win by points last July in Bangkok, Thailand, scaled-in at 106 while fellow Filipina Aisah “D’ Striker” Alico (7-10, 5 KO’s) of The City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro made 104 lbs. The two southpaw women will collide in a non-title 6-rounder and the fireworks.

MORE HIGHLAND BOXING ACTION FIGHTS

Furthermore, tough Highland boxing 112-pounder Romeo Tenorio (4-3-2, 3 KO’s) of Sarangani Province tipped the GAB scale at 115 pounds to climb to climb the ring against Lion King Geboi Mansalayao of Tarlac who came-in at 116 lbs. Their battle is a 6-chapter melee.

Plus, proven warrior Ardin Diale of Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, got 116 pounds in the GAB scale against 115 lbs made by lucky fighter Richard Rosales from the beautiful Municipality of Dagohoy in the Paradise Island Bohol.

Also, 20-year-old lightweight MJ “Young Gun” Uduna from the rich and fertile Rice Terraces of mountainous Ifugao Province and strong-looking Marlon Bacalando (0-2-2, 0 KO’s) of Makati both got the needle at 135 pounds, the limit of the lightweight division for their scheduled four-chapter saga that promises total action.

Ardin Diale (L) 116, Richard Rosales 115 for their 8 Rounder Battle

Plus, southpaw journeyman Edison Berwela (16-41-8, 5 KO’s) of Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, weighed-in at 124 pounds to exchange knuckles against fearless Diosdado “Dado” Cabintoy (15-9-2, 8 KO’s) of Parañaque City who made 125 lbs. Both men land in here from consecutive losses, and they want to stop that worrisome red in their records. Who will succeed? Their mission is in the featherweight division.

And that is not all.

In a thrilling supporting bout, southpaw Ador Torres (1-1-1, 0 KO’s) of La Trinidad, Benguet Province, stepped-in at 159 pounds while more experienced hard-swinging Filipino-Indian “Sher-e-Punjab” (Punjabi Lion) Prabhjot Singh (7-3-1, 7 KO’s) made 162 for their in a 6-stanza symphony of leather.

In more action, Highland Boxing Fighter Adrian Lerasan fighting out of La Trinidad, Benguet Province, made 115 pounds, an seconds later tough Jenie Boy Boca, a fighting man who hails from the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, Dakbayan sa Heneral Santos, stepped-in a bit heavier at 117. Boca was supposed to make 115. Their 8 rounder is still a good to go.

Return of Champions Friday, March 8 at Agono Stadium (near Angono City Hall) is a production of award-winning promoters Brico Santig of Highland Boxing Team and Darwin Miller A. Depay, director of DMAD Boxing Promotions, in cooperation with the Naris Singwancha Foundation.

GAB Supervisors are Felix “Rex” Flores and Raphael “Ralph” Dyoknos. Also in attendance during weigh-in was GAB official Oliver Evangelista. Supervisor for the Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) is Surapote Phongjiavanich of Thailand.

Boxing fans in the Metro Manila area are cordially invited to this entertaining boxing event in the seaside Municipality of Angono, the popular town know as “The Art Capital of the Philippines.”

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama-born fight reporter based in Cebu, Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email: carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp/viber 09184538152.