'Thriller in April' slugfest tonight

CEBU, Philippines - Another explosive fistic action will hit the Cebu Coliseum tonight as world title hopeful Rolando “Smooth Operator” Magbanua of North Cotabato’s Braveheart Boxing Gym and veteran Cebuano warrior Bert “Ninja” Batawang defend their respective belts headlining the keenly-awaited “Thriller in April” card. Showtime begins at 6 pm.

The undefeated Magbanua will stake his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Interim bantamweight Oriental crown against Thailand’s Wan Sithsaithong of the popular Kokiet Boxing Gym of Bangkok, while the 36-year-old Batawang hopes to defy Father Time as he put his WBO Oriental light flyweight title on the line against the 23-year-old Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong.

Magbanua, also 23 years old, snatched the vacant WBO title via a smashing sixth round stoppage of Mexican Jose Angel Cota in his Cebu Coliseum debut last February 21.

Magbanua is hell-bent on getting past the Thai challenger to better his world ranking and strengthen his position for a crack at the WBO bantamweight crown now being held by compatriot Gerry Penalosa. At present, Magbanua is WBO ranked No.15.

Batawang, on the other hand, is in for a tough battle against Dapudong, a protege of the Pinol Brothers’ Braveheart Boxing Club of North Cotabato who holds a record of 18 wins against two losses and 12 KOs.

Also, Batawang badly needs a victory because a defeat could spell the end of a long career which saw him scoring 34 wins against six defeats.

Although his opponent is 13 years his junior, Batawang must be extra cautious against Dapudong, a well-known body puncher who has never been knocked down in his young career. All of Dapudong’s losses came by close decision, including a fight against former world champion Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia in Jakarta last year.

Another exciting feature of the slambang event is the clash between the undefeated Korean prospect Jong Hwa Lee (8-0-1KO) against Mindanao’s Richard “Lion Heart” Betos, an eight-round encounter which promises to be the fight of the night.

Also seeing action in the card are undefeated Lorenzo “Thunderbolt” Villanueva, 22, (13 wins, 13 KOs) and Rommel “Little Assassin” Asenjo, 20, (12 wins, 2 loss, 10 KOs) who are both going up against Thai opponents.

Five other young pugs from Mindanao will also be strut their punching skills in the card which will be shown live on CCTN Channel 47 and through the Internet via livestreaming on www.pinoyboxingtv.com

 – EBV (THE FREEMAN)