PINAY TO FIGHT UNDEFEATED JAPANESE FEMALE BOXER IN PALAWAN

By LITO DELOS REYES

FILIPINO female boxer Christine “Lady Iron Fist” Latube will face undefeated Japanese Umi Ishikawa on December 4 at Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

Latube, 25, will be fighting infront of a hometown crowd in the undercard of the “Bakbakan sa Palawan” boxing card.

Latube enjoys an advantage on ring experience with 13 fights (1 win, 10 losses, 2 draws).

The 32-year old Ishikawa from Tokyo, Japan has won all her two fights, one by knockout.

In her pro debuut, Ishikawa won by a majority decision against Sansanee Intachai last September 21 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. She then stopped Tippawan Nintongyoo by a technical knockout in the 3^rd round last Nov. 7 also at Korakuen Hall.

Latube, on the other hand, previously lost to another Japanese Erika Hanawa by a unanimous decision in their 6-round battle for the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental female minimumweight title last June 10 in Mandaluyong City.

Latube landed more telling blows on Hanawa in the first two rounds but failed to sustain it in the remaining rounds.

Latube also fought but lost for the vacant OPBF female flyweight crown by a 7^th round technical knockout against Yunoka Furukawa last February 21 in Bangkok, Thailand. She was also retired in the 1^st round by Momoko Kanda for the vacant OPBF female atomweight crown on June 12, 2015 at the L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City.

Latube also went to Wanju, South Korea to fight against Chan Mi Lim but the Filipina dropped a 3^rd round knockout at the Culture Center on September 19, 2015.

Latube’s only victory was a unanimous decision to Lucy Donaire Bayo last February 18, 2012 in La Trinidad, Benguet

Shin Ishikawa also of United Team Japan is facing Alejandro Anas of Verlast Stable in a 160 lbs. 8-rounder.

Pitted in the main event is the 12-round championship for the vacant WBC International flyweight title between former OPBF light flyweight champion Ardin “The Jackal” Diale of United Gym and WBC Euroasia Pacific Boxing Council light flyweight champion Michael Enriquez of Sanman Gym.

The main supporting bout is a 10-rounder between former PBF super bantamweight champion Jelbirt Gomera of Highland Gym-Benguet against Edward “The Nightmare” Mansito of MP Highland Gym-Manila (10 rds.-125 lbs.).

The curtain raiser is a 4-rounder between Romero Tesorio of United Gym and Roberto Mendanio of Batangas (106 lbs.).

The boxing card is promoted by Ryuta Kato of United Boxing Promotion with Warren Evison as the matchmaker.

The invited special guests are Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron and Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Mitra. – LOLITO DELOS REYES