Batawang-Solis IBF title fight is off

After being pulled out of the Boxing World Cup comes another heart-breaker for veteran Filipino fighter Bert Batawang as his IBF light flyweight title challenge against defending champion Ulises Solis of Mexico has been scrapped.

Initially, Batawang was set to take on Solis in a Top Rank promotion on September 16 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas, Nevada, but international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz said he received an e-mail from Solis’ camp informing him that the Mexican champion pulled out of the bout due to shoulder injury.

“We are very sorry to inform you that Mr. Ulises Solis will be unable to perform on Sept 16th in a match scheduled with Mr. Bert Batawang. Mr Solis is suffering from a shoulder injury that will disable his ability to fight,” said Sean Gibbons an agent to Team Solis.

“We greatly appreciate your efforts to structure this match and the efforts of the Philippine organization that approved this bout.  We hope to make this event happen in the near future and we appreciate your understanding in this matter,” added Gibbons.

Solis is the same toughie who knocked out Cebuano hard-puncher Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol in round eight to retain his IBF 108-pound crown last August 4 at the All-State Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

This is the second time in less than a month that a big fight for Batawang has been discarded.

He was supposed to take on Gerardo Verde in an IBF light flyweight eliminator underneath the Philippines vs. Mexico World Cup last August 12 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California, but the match was shelved after Verde suffered detached retinas in both eyes. — EBV