On same day, Cebuano boxers to try their luck abroad for the first time
CEBU, Philippines — Two Cebuano boxers will try their luck on foreign shores for the first time on the same day, September 7, in different territories.
They are Bryx “The King” Piala of the Cebu City-based ARQ Stable and John Ver Espra of Talisay City’s Prime Fight Gym.
The 22-year-old Piala (9-1, 3KOs) will exchange blows with the undefeated Japanese knockout artist Mikito Nakano (10-0, 9KOs) for the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) featherweight belt at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
More than the crown, the Talisay-native Piala is up to the daunting task of ending ARQ’s five-fight jinx in Japan, two of which were suffered by John Paul “Angas ng Cebu” Gabunilas.
In between Gabunilas’ back-to-back defeats, Bryx’s brother Rodex Piala and their other stablemates in Yerroge Gura and Bryan James Wild also faltered in the Land of the Rising Sun.
On the other hand, Espra will make his international debut against Mongolia’s Orkhontungalag Unubold in a non-title bout scheduled for six rounds under the flyweight division in Incheon, South Korea.
The 26-year-old Espra, from Mandaue City, is on a three-fight winning streak that raised his record to 4-3 laced with 2KOs. He will take on a Mongolian upstart who posted only one victory in three matches. — (FREEMAN)
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