Suico to stake OPBF belt vs Thai

Randy Suico, one of the country’s brightest prospects for a world title, makes a tough defense of his Orient-Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super-featherweight crown tomorrow night against Thailand’s Muangfahlek Kiatwichean at the Lapu-Lapu Sports Complex in Cebu.

Suico is aching to stave off the Thai’s challenge in the hopes of being able to get a crack at the World Boxing Council jewels of Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera, who recently flattened Mzonke Fana with a single punch.

Fana is the same South African who beat Suico in a controversial 12-round split decision for the right to face Barrera.

"This is going to be a night of fistic fireworks," said Wakee Salud, who is staging the headliner with support from Ching’s Palace, Blue Blade and the City Govrernment of Lapu-Lapu. The weekly boxing show Fistorama is covering the fights.

"I was told that the Thai did not come here to lose. He wants to break the hearts of the Cebuanos by beating Suico," added Salud, who is one of the country’s top promoters.

Manny Pacquiao has been invited to grace the fights and the Ring magazine featherweight champion has confirmed his attendance to Salud over the weekend. He will be flying in from General Santos City.

Suico is coming off a one-punch stoppage win over Indonesian Ibrahim Aroby, who was knocked out also at the Lapu-Lapu Sports Complex in October last year.