‘Back on Track’ boxing presscon today

Before exchanging blows in the ring, the main cast of this Saturday’s keenly-awaited “Back on Track” boxing promotion will trade verbal jabs first in a news conference set at 11:00 this morning at Hotel Fortuna.

Expected to grace the affair are international promoter Sammy Gello-ani, IBF minimumweight champion Florante Condes, and longtime sports patron Lorenzo “Chao” Sy, the owner of Hotel Fortuna.

Veteran ring gladiators Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol and Bert “Ninja” Batawang will co-headline the slambang card presented by Gello-ani’s SGG Sports Promotions in partnership with Viva Sports, Republic Chemicals, Tanduay, and Pioneer ElastoSeal.

 Mayol (23-3, 18KOs) will take on Thai Wisan Sor Suchanya (9-6-1) in a non-title match scheduled for 10 rounds, while Batawang (51-7, 35KOs) will go up against Thai power-hitter Samransan Singmanassak (32-13-1, 26KOs) in a 12-round showdown for the WBO Oriental light flyweight title.

Mayol will be fighting on Cebu soil for the first time in six years. The last was when he decisioned Nino Suelo over 12 rounds to clinch the Philippine minimumweight championship on August 3, 2002 at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

In the equally-explosive supporting bouts, former PBF flyweight champion Federico “Magnifico” Catubay (20-14-3) of SGG Stable will keep his hands busy against Brix Bomb Ray of Davao’s Tony Dacer Stable,  while Pedro Malco of Zamboanga City faces an uphill battle against the unbeaten Bong Yap Stable mainstay Eric Macas (8-0, 5KOs).

The rest of the undercards feature Roemart Sentillas (3-0) vs. Ed Earl Orellano (4-0-1), Roldan Castrodes (6-0) vs. Jerome Buntog (1-3-1), Rodel Adelmita (4-0) vs. Edzel Tuñacao (2-0-0), Ryan Tampus vs. Jerome Aguirre, and Ariel Adan vs. Arnel Dunal.

Tickets are priced at P50 for general admission, P100 for upper box, P250 for lower box, and P500 for ringside.—EBV