The Challenger: Amparo Guns for WBA Asia Title; Zulueta Defends ABF Belt in Thailand

By Carlos Costa

BANGKOK, Thailand — Brave Pinoy fighters Jake Amparo of Bohol and John Michael Zulueta of Bacolod stand fast and ready for their crucial title fights, featured as main events, in the coming Highland Boxing Promotions show set to thrill fans on November 30 at the starry SpacePlus Night Club, RCA Plaza, in Bangkok, Thailand.

In the main fight, the skilled 25-year-old Jake “El Bambino” Amparo (11-3-1, 2 KO’s) of the paradise island province of Bohol, will swing for the fences in his attempt to dethrone unbeaten world-ranked Vietnamese WBA Asia Minimumweight Champ Huu Toan Le (5-0, 3 KO’s), in a rumble destined to ignite fireworks.

Fresh from his recent outstanding win in South Africa, the Filipino Jake Amparo feels confident that he can score this Thailand win too.

The Pinoy’s goal is focused on out-smarting and defeating Huu, taking his belt, and grabbing his WBA world-ranking.

Will Jake Jake Amparo succeed in Thailand the same way he did it in South Africa?

“Yes, he can,” says Filipino promoter Brico Santig, head of the Highland Boxing Promotionns.

“It will not an easy fight because the WBA # 9 Huu Toan Le is a boxer of quality and heart. But so is Jake.

“In my mind, Jake proved himself last month, traveling to South Africa to outclass his unbeaten opponent in his own backyard.

“I think Amparo vs Huu is an exciting match, a good opportunity.

CO-MAIN EVENT: ZULUETA BATTLES SURIYA IN ABF 108 TITLE DEFENSE

In the co-feature, unbeaten, world-ranked Filipino John Michael “Striker” Zulueta (14-0-2, 7 KO’s) from the beautiful City of Bacolod in Negros Occidental will defend his ABF Light Flyweight title when he trades heavy artillery against tough, young local warrior Suriya Kraimanee of Thailand.

Ranked as world’s # 14 Minumumweight by the WBA, Zulueta aims at stopping Suriya for his 4^thconsecutive KO win in Thailand.

Should the Bacoleño striker succeed in stopping Suriya, he would tie the record for more consecutive knockout wins for a Filipino in Thailand.

Only Zulueta’s teammate and friend Adrian Lerasan (12-4, 5 KO’s) of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, has scored more stoppage wins in Thailand: 4 knockout wins.

Easier said than done, but Zulueta has the golden chance of tying the record. Can he do it?

Should the fully-committed, well-trained 27-year-old Zulueta come out from battle victorious to defend belt, improve world-ranking and tie KO record? November 30 will find out.

Fans outside Thailand may watch the show live streamed on YouTube from the Promoter’s channel; and also live on Facebook from the promoter’s Facebook page.

MORE RUMBLE: FILIPINOS TORRES, TUAZON AND PACIONES IN ACTION TOO

Fourteen more hot clashes will play out during the entertaining Highland show in Bangkok, including three Filipinos in supporting wars:

Super lightweight boxer/MMA fighter Ador Torres (5-4-1, 2 KO’s) of Magdalena, Sorsogon, will lace his gloves again after his round four KO victory last month.

In addition, veteran Phil-Am “The Fight Doc” JV Tuazon will climb the ring for a new war. Tuazon, born in Manila, now living and working with his family in New Jersey, scored a hard-fought win by points in his last combat, now wanting more scalps in the Land of Smiles, Thailand.

Fans will also see 17-year-old Filipino rookie Arvin Jhon Paciones (2-0, 1 KO) entering battle. Based in Vietnam, Paciones travels to Thailand aiming at his 3rd pro win in the light flyweight division.

In another title clash, Pakistan lightweight Muhammad Shoaib battles tough and experienced Indonesian warrior Hendrik Barongsay for the vacant ABF 135-lbs strap.

The Filipino warriors Zulueta and Torres are being trained in Thailand by veteran coach former world champion Joemarie Gamboa of Mandaue, Cebu.

The exciting event green-lighted for November 30 at the cozy SpacePlus Night Club is a production of award-winning Filipino promoter Brico Santig of the Highland Boxing Team in association with Thailand man of boxing Supanat Chanram and Night Club entrepreneur Tony Chen.

The author Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com.