Escaner to defend crown on Aug. 31

By Lito delos Reyes

DAVAO CITY — Philippine bantamweight champion Giovanni “Little Giant” Escaner of Sultan Kudarat will the defend his title on Renoel “R Singwancha” Pael of Leyte on Aug. 31 at Bohol Wisdom School Gym in Tagbilaran City.The 29-year old Escaner (19W-4L-0D, 14KO) retired Rene “Commander” Dacquel of Malate in the 5th round to win the vacant Philippine bantamweight title last Dec. 22 in Paranaque City.But Escaner lost by a knockout in the 8th round to Joshoua Greer Jr. of USA last Feb. 15 in Minnesota.The 28-year old Pael (23W-9L-1D, 12KO) lost by a unanimous decision to Ryusei Kawaura of Japan last May 14 in Korakuen Hall, Tokyo.Pael, however, TKO’d Anthony Galigao of Bohol in the 2nd round last Oct. 14 in Calbayog City.Meanwhile, the main event will be Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (19W-0L, 14KO) of Tacloban City against Panya Uthok (53W-6L-0D, 35KO) of Thailand for the vacant WBC ABC and vacant IBF Pan Pacific featherweight titles.Roldan “The Cobra” Aldea (14W-7L-1D, 8KO) of Manila will face Anvar Turapov (5W-1L-0D, 4KO) of Uzbekistan in the lightweight 10-rounder.
The promoter of the boxing is Vikram Swapragasam of Vladimir Boxing.