Big J, Cepeda, Marquez to grace Fistiana

Sen. Robert S. Jaworski, Sr., Parañaque Mayor Joey Marquez and Games and Amusement Board chair Dominador Cepeda have been invited to grace and present the championship belts in three featured bouts in the PSA Fiesta Fistiana boxing card at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater in Parañaque on May 27.

Jaworski, chair of the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, has been tasked to present the trophy and the championship belt to the winner between Gerry Peñalosa and Pone Saengmorakot, who will be clashing for the WBC international superflyweight championship, the main event in the blockbuster card put up by Philippine Sporswriters Association.

The keenly-awaited 12-round fight marks Peñalosa's first bout since he lost to Korea's In-joo Cho in Seoul last January for the second straight time although hopes are high that the former Filipino boxing champion will succeed in his comeback bid for a shot at the world crown.

Marquez, the host city's chief executive and a noted boxing patron, has been invited to award the trophy and the championship belt to the winner in the Juanito Rubillar-Do Yunma clash for the WBC international lightweight championship, one of two title fights serving as the supporting cards to the Penalosa-Saengmorakot bout.

The other is the Dino Olivetti-Edward Escriber fight for the Philippine superbantamweight championship where Cepeda is expected to award to the winner the championship belt and trophy. Both 12-round cards are expected to spice up action for the main event.

The venue, a 4,000-seater inside the Casino Filipino, is being spruced up in time for the big event, presented by San Miguel Beer and Casino Filipino.

The card also features an eight-rounder pitting Sukaro Bajao against Jessie dela Cruz (108 lbs), while two six rounders will have Rudy Ahab clashing with Arma Torres in the 108-lb division and Steve Dimaisip tangling with Cris Dave in the 106-lbs class. Sherwin Alferez takes on Jose Edusma in a four-rounder at 112 lbs.