Wao to make a comeback

By LITO DELOS REYES

DAVAO CITY – Former World Boxing Council International bantamweight champion Rex “Igorot Warrior” Wao of Baguio City is making a comeback on July 3 at the Urdaneta Cultural Sports Complex in Urdaneta City.

Wao (11W-4L-0D, 9KOs) will fight against Jon Jon “Wolvarine” Estrada (11W-8L-1D, 10KOs) of Pasay City.

Wao has been on a long rest since he suffered a TKO in the 5th round against Joe Santisima on Nov. 26, 2016, in Cebu City.

“Wao had been in China working as a trainer,” said promoter Robert Hill of VSP Boxing.

Hill, an Aussie, has a co-promoter Cucuy Elorde of UKC Pro Boxing Edition.

“Wao tells me he is in great shape,” said Hill.

Wao said that he has been training long since the lockdown hit the country.

“Matagal na po mula umpisa ng lockdown (It’s been a long time since the lockdown started)”, said Wao.

Wao had been in China working as a trainer since 2016. Now, Wao is back and willing to try again on the ring.

He’s been sparring with his mates from the Highland Boxing Gym.
“I just know he used to be very good and he’s not old”, said Hill.
Wao is just 32 years old while Estrada is 31.

Estrada recently lost to undefeated Charly Suarez only by a unanimous decision last Feb. 13, 2021, in Paniqui. It lasted for full 10 rounds.

All of his opponents were knocked down by Suarez except for Estrada.

Estrada last won by a technical knockout over Tasuku Nakagawa of Japan by a 7th round last April 4, 2018, at Korakuen Hall.

But he lost all of his next four fights, three of them outside the country. Estrada bowed to Akzhol Sulaimanbek Uulu by a UD for the WBA Asia super featherweight title last Dec. 8, 2018, in Ekaterinburg.

Estrada then went back to Ekaterinburg to face Vladislav Krasnoshein but lost again by a UD last March 23, 2019.

Estrada again lost by a UD to Koshin Takeshima in Japan last July 20, 2019.

Estrada was originally scheduled to fight KJ Natuplag of Ifugao, who was then set for Dubai earlier.

photo: Rex Wao

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