MAGBANUA TO FIGHT FOR VACANT WBO INTER-CONTINENTAL TITLE

Rolando Magbanua (left) of the Philippines and Roman Andreev of Russia

By LITO DELOS REYES

GEN. SANTOS CITY – Former bantamweight champion Rolando “Smooth Operator” Magbanua of the Philippines will be fighting for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title against undefeated Roman Andreev on September 20 in Vladikavkaz, Russia.

Alexey Kubarev of Bupas Promotions is the promoter.

Magbanua, 31, is fresh from a 3^rd round technical knockout win against Melchar Valiente last March 27 at the Central Market Gym in Iligan City.

Magbanua, formerly managed by the Sonshine Sports in Davao City won the interim WBO Oriental bantamweight crown via a 6^th round knockout against Jose Angel Cota on February 21, 2009 at the Cebu City Coliseum.

Magbanua, a native of Pigcawayan, North Cotabato retained the title by stopping Wanpadejseuk Or Benjamad via a 3^rd round knockout held April 25, 2009 at the same venue.

The 30-year old Andreev, on the other hand, is unbeaten with 17 straight wins and 12 knockouts.

He previously stopped Oszkar Fiko by a 2^nd round TKO last March 26 at the Arena Balashikha in Russia.

Before that, Andreev defeated another Filipino Rey Labao by a UD to retain his PABA lightweight crown last November 8, 2014 in Russia.

The main supporting bout is the WBO Youth super lightweight championship fight between Georgi Chelokhsaev (9-1-1) and Meshack Mwankemwa (10-1-2).