'Double Championship' boxing show: Three Suicos to show stuff

Perhaps overlooked by many, three promising boxers from the Suico clan of Mandaue City will dazzle Cebu fight fans with their adept fistic skills in the keenly-awaited "Double Championship" card this Saturday night at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Chief of them, of course, is the hard-punching Randy "Kumong Bato" Suico, who will defend for the first time his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) lightweight title against Thai Pongpetch Chuwatana in the main event.

But before Randy will showcase his punching stuff, his nephews - brothers Apol and Benedict Suico - will take centerstage against separate foes from the opposite corners of the archipelago.

Apol will slug it out with Jun Pader of Bernard Yu Stable of Butuan City in a 10-round war under the flyweight division, while Benedict will trade mitts with Edwin Ubatay of Manila also in a flyweight battle scheduled for eight rounds.

"This is a very exciting promotion because three Suicos will fight in one card. I'm sure those who will come and watch this card will get their money's worth," said noted Cebuano boxingman Rex "Wakee" Salud, who is promoting this slambang event in partnership with MP Promotions of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

Interestingly, the Suicos have different mission to accomplish in their minds.

Randy (24-3, 21KOs) hopes to make an impressive comeback since losing in his WBA 135-pound title bid to reigning champion Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz of Mexico by ninth round TKO last July 15 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Also, Randy looks forward to make an impact in his first fight in Cebu in 18 months. The last time he saw action before his hometown fans was on April 27 last year at the Lapu-Lapu City Sports Complex where he decked Thai Muangfahlek Kiatwichean in the fourth round to wrest the OPBF crown.

Apol, on the other hand, aims to sustain his unbeaten streak. He is unscathed in eight pro fights spiked with 5KOs, including his ninth round stoppage of Isidro Balabat last July 25 in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

On top of Benedict's agenda is to set himself back into the winning track. In his previous bout, Benedict bowed to South African Monelisi Mhikiza Myekeni by 12-round split decision in their WBC International flyweight title match last March 31 at the Wembley Arena in Johannesburg, SA.

Aside from the Suicos, another boxer to watch out for is RWS Stable stalwart Gerope Mercado, who will challenge defending champion Eden Sonsona for the Philippine super flyweight title in a must-see showdown of young and undefeated warriors.

Mercado is unscathed in 10 fights spiked with 4KOs, while Sonsona also sports an immaculate 9-0 record, but with only one win via short distance.

The rest of the Double Championship undercards pit Gedion Amba vs. Darell Pucdol, Rolly Mandahinog vs. Boggie Delada and Ronnie Peñonal vs. Mario de Asis.