Jaca, Lunas to dazzle Barili boxing fans tonite

Fight fans from the municipality of Barili are bracing themselves for an explosive ring action as the "Double Main Event" boxing extravaganza featuring two former regional champions blasts off at 7:00 tonight at the Barili Sports Complex.

Former OPBF super bantamweight champion Jimrex Jaca will trade bombs with PBF No.4 lightweight contender Renato Maghuyop of Cagayan de Oro City, while ex-PABA flyweight titlist Rolly Lunas will peddle punches with PBF No.5 118-pounder Jaime Acerda in the blockbuster double-header bankrolled by Rex "Wakee" Salud Promotions International.

Jaca, who sports a 22-1-1 win-loss-draw record spiked with 9KOs, is in for his third fight since he was stripped of his OPBF crown via seventh round KO loss to Japanese Yasuo Kunimi on May 30 last year in Kanazawa, Japan.

The Sibulan, Negros Oriental-native Jaca staged a triumphant comeback, beating Japanese Isamu Sakashita by fifth round technical decision. He, however, could only settle for a draw with Kinji Amano the last time he fought on May 24 this year at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall.

Lunas (18-5, 9KOs), on the other hand, hopes to bounce back from a unanimous decision defeat to South African Masibulele Makepula in their WBC International super flyweight title bout last February 25 at the Orient Theatre in East London, South Africa.

Completing the card are Cebu City's Jerope Mercado against CdO's Jun Mala and Mandaue City's Allan Jay Tuñacao versus Iloilo City's Jomar Labiogo.

Five exciting amateur bouts will beef up the pro action that will pit Barili's hometown pride in Bernardo Rio, Jr., Rolito Ningasca, Franklin Undaloc, Titing Morales and Roland Paras against the visiting pugilists from Cebu City in Jonathan Nacua, Leo Stamped, Whight Gono, Wendel Sacil and Alex Baricuatro, respectively.

Tickets are priced at P200 for ringside and P50 for general admission. Proceeds of the slambang event will go to the Amateur Boxing Association of Barili. - EBV