Tabugon arrives in Mexico for Estrada clash

Filipino super flyweight Raymond “Tornado” Tabugon (18-5-1, 8 KOs) of General Santos City arrived in Mexico on October 4 to face former world champion Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada of Mexico on October 8 at the Estadio Francisco León García in Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico. Tabugon and his team arrived via Los Angeles, according to his manager Jim Claude Manangquil, chief executive officer of the Sanman Promotions.

“Tabugon and his team arrived ahead of his fight with Estrada,” said Manangquil. “Tabugon’s preparation is OK. And he is good to go for October 8. I expect Tabugon to fight hard like he always does. This is a big opportunity for him.”

Estrada, a former WBA super world flyweight and WBO world flyweight champion is toting a record of 33 wins with 22 knockouts and only 2 losses.

The 25-year old Tabugon, however, is coming from a 5th round technical knockout loss against Makazole Tete in their battle for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental super flyweight crown held July 29 at the Orient Theatre, East London in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Tabugon last won against Renante Suacasa by a 6th round TKO win to capture the PBF super flyweight title last March 8 in T’boli, South Cotabato.

“This is a big opportunity for me. I am fighting a very good world class boxer but i will not be intimidated and will do everything to get an upset,” said Tabugon.

Estrada, on the other hand, last saw action when he retained his WBA super world flyweight and WBO world flyweight crowns via a 10th round knockout win against Hernan Marquez last September 26, 2015 in Mexico.

Estrada reportedly now also wants a rematch with WBC World super flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (46W-38KOs), who recently retained his title via a UD against Carlos Cuadras last Sept. 10 at the Forum in Inglewood, California.