"Daytime Boxing" Domingo to defend WBO title today

CEBU – ALA Boxing Gym stalwart Michael Domingo won all his three fights staged on Sunday. That is an ominous warning for his foe.

Domingo (36-14-2, 15KOs) of Libac, Sultan Kudarat hopes for another ‘Beautiful Sunday’ as he defends his WBO Oriental bantamweight title against former world champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (73-10, 49KOs) of Thailand in the main event of the highly-antipated “Daytime Boxing:Philippines vs. Thailand” starting at 9 am today at the Cebu Coliseum.

The 29-year-old Domingo is risking for the first time the WBO regional crown he snatched by stopping Indonesian Revo Rengkung in the second round underneath the “Laban na Banal” show last July 27 also at the Coliseum.

Since pulling off a stunning upset over the previously unbeaten Mexican prospect Miguel Roman during the Boxing World Cup on August 11 last year in Sacramento, California, Domingo went on to sweep all his matches on a Sunday, the last was via second round stoppage of Thai Thepnimit Sor Chitpattana last April 6 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Against Vorapin, Domingo is expected to face rough sailing owing to the Thai’s durability and vast experience. Vorapin once reigning as the WBO bantamweight ruler, but lost his belt to Jhonny Gonzalez of Mexico in 2005. During his last fight also last April 6 at the Big Dome, he was brutally dismantled by reigning WBO 118-pound king Gerry Peñalosa in the eighth round.

In what could be a morale-booster for him leading to the Domingo fight, Vorapin knocked out Alex Boki of Indonesia last July 11 at the Phrapradaeng Plaza in Samut Prakan, Thailand.

The rest of the card pits Joel de la Cruz vs. former WBA king Somsak Kokietgym of Thailand,

 Elmer Colve vs. Amor Tino, Marvin Sonsona vs. John Naimez, Julius Alcos against Nelson Llanos, and female fighter Geremie abastabas vs. Thailand’s lady warrior Usanakorn Kokietgym.

“Daytime Boxing: Philippine versus Thailand” is presented by SGG Sports Promotions of international promoter Sammy “Don King” Gello-ani, Kokiet Boxing Group of Thailand, City Government of Cebu, Viva Sports, Tanduay, Omega Boxing Gym, Sunriser Motorcycles of the Norkis Group and Cebu Grand Hotel.

Tickets are reasonably priced at P500 for VIP/sponsor, P350 for ringside, P250 for lower box, and P100 for upper box. – THE FREEMAN