Batawang headlines 'Power Punch' today: Two Viva Hotbabes members to serve as round girls

Reigning WBA Pan-African light flyweight champion Bert Batawang of SGG Stable takes on former Philippine tilte-holder Eugene Gonzales in a non-title bout scheduled for 10 rounds headlining SGG Sports Promotions' "Power Punch" card starting at 6 pm today at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Batawang, who compiled a 34-11-3 win-loss-draw record packed with 27 knockouts in his 15-year pro career, in his for his third fight of the year.

He won his previous two fights against Robert Rubillar and Elmer Muyco all via stoppage.

The IBF ranked No.5, WBO No.6 and WBA No.9 108-pounder Batawang lost only once in his last 12 fights by split decision to Japanese Shingo Yamaguchi in their 12-round showdown for the OPBF jr flyweight crown on August 9 last year at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

But Batawang bounced back in historic fashion, dethroning WBA Pan-African 108-pound titlist Sithembele Kibiti via seventh round knockout to become the first ever Filipino fighter to win a world title fight in South Africa.

Despite his impressive credential, there's no way Batawang can underestimate his opponent as Gonzales is coming off an ego-boosting victory via first round stoppage over former two-time amateur best boxer awardee Roselito Campaña last July 17.

The last time Gonzales lost to a Filipino boxer was against Wyndel Janiola by decision on March 4, 2001.

Although he dropped four fight abroad, Gonzales boasts of a string of victories at home against Judefil Aclo, Jojo Bardon, Nino Suelo, Jovan Presbitero, Jerry Pahayahay, Dodong Adjar and Jun Ebale.

The 27-year-old Gonzales carries a 24-14-5 win-loss-draw ledger spiked with only eight KOs.

In the supporting main event of the slambang card put up by noted Cebuano promoter Sammy Gello-ani, Along Denoy (16-16, 10KOs) takes on Nino Suelo (15-10-1, 11KOs) in another 10-round bout.

Robert Allanic (5-1) battles John Ray Verano (12-4-2, 4KOs), Isidro Balabat (5-1-1) mixes it up with Jun Eraham (14-10-3, 4KOs), while Alex John Banal hopes to recover from a heart-breaking debut when he slugs it out with Julius Cabusas.

Others seeing action in the explosive slugfest set to be graced by Viva Hot Babes members Briana Blanca and Katrina Gonzales, who will serve as round girls, are the unbeaten Rey Caitom vs. Frederick Salde, Arnel Tadena vs. Rey Migreño, Jun Intor vs. Sonny Alfara, Milan Melindo vs. Meljon Grumo and Allan Yap vs. Vasquez.