“KNOCKOUT” DOUBLE OPBF CHAMPIONSHIP AT STRIKE GYMNASIUM IN BACOOR SEPT. 30

By LITO DELOS REYES

MANILA — An exciting double championship for the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Silver titles will be held on September 30 at 5 p.m. at the new Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor City of Cavite.

The boxing card dubbed as the “Knockout” is co-promoted by the MP Highland and United International Promotion.

Former OPBF flyweight champion Ardin “The Jackal” Diale (31W-10L-3D-15KOs) of Malungon, Sarangani Province will face undefeated Ryan “The Fire Fist” Lumacad Singwangcha (11W-0L-1D-6KOs) of General Santos City for the vacant OPBF Silver flyweight title.

The other championship fight is between former WBC International light flyweight and WBC Asian Boxing light flyweight champion Richard “Explosive” Claveras and undefeated Jeronil Borres (7W-0L-1D-5KOs) of Camiguin for the vacant OPBF light flyweight title.

Diale won the vacant OPBF flyweight title by a unanimous decision against Renoel Pael last December 2, 2015 in Mandaluyong. He retained the crown in his first title-defense also via a UD against Jonathan Francisco last February 20 in Taguig.

Diale, however, lost his crown by a knockout to Daigo Higa last July 20 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Lumacad, who is now under the Highland Promotion, previously scored a 6^th round stoppage against Julius Bala last August 13 in Makati Cinema.

Claveras, 27, of Team United last won by a 9^th round TKO against Juan Purisima last June 10 in Mandaluyong, while the 20-year old Borres previously won by a UD against Jeven Villacite last February 20 in Taguig.

“These two fights are both exciting since former champions will both face against undefeated fighters,” said promoter Brico Santig of MP Highland International Promotions.

The co-promoters are Rene Pacquiao and Ace Mendoza of MP Highland Gym and Ryuta Kato of United Promotions. Matchmaker is Warren Elliot.

The boxing event is part of the annual fiesta celebration of Bacoor City. It is supported by Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Rep. Strike Revilla and Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla. It is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) under Chairman Baham Mitra and the OPBF under its president Juan Ramon Guanzon.