Batawang aims to re-write history
Having four world boxing champions in a year is already a Philippine record unmatched by any country on both hemispheres of the globe.
Today, veteran Cebuano slugger Bert “Ninja” Batawang (50-6, 34KOs) attempts to re-write history when he challenges defending champion Ulises “Archie” Solis of Mexico (25-1-2, 19KOs) for the IBF light flyweight title at the Auditorio Benito Juarez in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
The two protagonists are all set to rumble after easily making the regulatory 108-pound limit during yesterday’s official weigh-in at the Hotel Victoria Express.
Revered international promoter Sammy Gello-ani said Batawang has three mission to accomplish, chief of which is to further fan the scathing rivalry between the Filipino and Mexican ring gladiators.
“First, Batawang wanted to continue the battle between Filipinos and Mexicans to which the Filipinos had so far having the upperhand; second, Batawang wanted to take revenge of compatriot Rodel Mayol’s loss to Solis,” said Gello-ani in a report by philboxing.com web editor Dong Secuya.
The 19-year-old Solis previously kept his belt with an eight-round TKO win over Mayol last August 4 at the All-State Arane in
Gello-ani said that Batawang also wanted to duplicate the feat of former two-division world champion Luisito Espinosa, who knocked out Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez in round four at the Mexican’s hometown in
On his personal side, the 36-year-old Batawang is eyeing to break the record of Gerry Peñalosa as the oldest Filipino boxer to become a world champion.
Peñalosa was 35 years old when he dethroned Jhonny Gonzalez via seventh round TKO to snatch the WBO bantamweight diadem in the Boxing World Cup last August 2 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.
The other Pinoy world title-holders at the moment are Nonito Donaire (IBF/IBO flyweight), Donnie Nietes (WBO minimumweight) and Florante Condes (IBF minimumweight).
- Latest
- Trending
