Cebu hosts first 'Daytime Boxing'

In a historic event in Cebu sports, a boxing in broad daylight will take place on September 14 starting promptly at 9 am at the Cebu Coliseum. Another first is the live telecast via satellite of the slambang show to RP’s neighboring Asian countries in the likes of Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam.

Michael “Sunday Punch” Domingo (36-14-2, 15KOs) will defend his WBO Oriental bantamweight title against former world champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (73-10, 49KOs) in the main event of the explosive card aptly billed as “Daytime Boxing:Philippines vs. Thailand.”

It will be Domingo’s first defense of the WBO regional belt he seized with a smashing second round stoppage of Indonesia’s Rivo Rengkung.

Ratanachai is by far the toughest obstacle in Domingo’s path to world championship glory. A seasoned ring gladiator of 83 fights, Vorapin once held the WBO bantamweight crown when he beat Cruz Carbajal of Mexico in 2004. He defended it once against Mauricio Martinez of Panama the following year.

Vorapin, however, lost his title when he bowed to Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzalez during the first ever Boxing World Cup featuring Mexico vs. Thailand on October 29, 2005 at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tuczon, Arizona.

“This promises to be a good match. Domingo has been on a winning streak since joining the ALA gym and is training very hard and at present very sharp. This fight could even be considered by Domingo a chance to avenge the losses he had at the hands of Thai boxers,” said international promoter Sammy “Don King” Gello-ani.

Domingo fumbled in his first three attempts to snatch a regional title. But inspite of those spate of setbacks, he persevered in his chosen career. Armed with determination and hardwork, Domingo is optimistic that someday will be aligned with the country’s elite list of world title-holders.

And what a way to achieve it. Domingo has ruled and remained undefeated in the Philippine bantamweight division, defending his throne five times already.

Domingo is hard-pressed to put up an impressive show against Vorapin as a lucrative stint in the United States is in the offing if he gets past the dangerous Thai challenger.

The rest of the bouts spicing up the “Daytime Boxing” slugfest pit Joel de la Cruz vs. Somsak Kokietgym, Rey Labao vs. Amor Tino, Marvin Sonsona vs. Edwin Tumbag, and Julius Alcos vs. Nelson Llanos.

In a special attraction featuring lady ring gladiators, the country’s pride Genevie Tabas till trade leathers with Thailand’s Usanakorn.

The action-packed extravaganza is presented by SGG Sports Promotions in association with the Kokiet Group of Thailand, city government of Cebu, Viva Sports, Tanduay, Omega Boxing Gym and Cebu Grand Hotel.

Tickets are reasonably priced at P500 for ringside, P350 for lower box, P250 for upperbox, and P100 for ringside. For reservations, one may call 420-7029, 518- 6615, or 0916-5497184.