PHILIPPINES TO HOST WBA AND IBF TITLES THIS FEBRUARY

By Sharma Devaiah

2020 can easily be the worst year for professional boxing and other professional sports in the history of the Philippines and globally. Last year, there were only four professional boxing events organized.

2021 however is looking to a better calendar year despite the worldwide pandemic that still lurks.

Filipinos will get to see their fellows as Vic Saludar will go toe-to-toe against Roberto Paradero for the vacant World Boxing Association Minimumweight title on February 20 as Pedro Taduran will try to defend his International Boxing Federation Minimumweight title against Rene Mark Cuarto on the 27th.

Saludar and Paradero who are both trainings in the South will have to fly into Manila on the first week of February as the fight is set to be staged either in Paranaque, Laguna, or Bulacan. The venue will be determined weeks before the fight and will depend on the situation of the above-mentioned places when it comes to the Community-Quarantine classifications.

Meanwhile, Taduran who is in his training camp at La Union will have to travel South to face Cuarto as it will be staged at General Santos. This will be Taduran’s second defense since capturing the belt against fellow Filipino Samuel Salva in September 2019 and went on to win in his first defense against Mexico’s Daniel Valladares in February last year.

Games and Amusement Board Chairman Baham Mitra stressed that his office will do everything to assist in the health safety of everyone involved in the said two events.