MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipinos from the SanMan stable of General Santos City are gunning for world titles in Dubai and Carson City, 10 hours apart tonight (tomorrow morning, Manila time) with their manager J. C. Manangquil confident they’ll upset the odds in making their dream come true.
Manangquil, who will be at ringside in Carson City, said there’s no doubt in his mind both fighters are ready to go for broke. At the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, Jayson Mama takes on IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards of England while at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson City, Los Angeles County, Reymart Gaballo battles WBC bantamweight titlist Nonito Donaire Jr. Both challengers are unbeaten but they’re the underdogs against the reigning and defending champions.
“Gaballo’s confident,” said Manangquil who flew to Los Angeles to witness the fight that was postponed in London last September when Edwards sprained an ankle in a freak accident. “His mindset is to win. ‘Di niya iniintindi kung sino ang kalaban. I know him. ‘Yan ang mentality niya. Idol ni Reymart si Donaire but ‘di siya in awe.” Donaire said it’s a win-win situation for the Philippines since the winner will be a Filipino either way. The Filipino Flash said he also couldn’t care less who’s in the opposite corner as once he’s in the ring, a knockout is his goal whether it’s a countryman or not.
Gaballo trained in Miami with Cuban Moro Fernandez for over three months then moved to the Churchill Gym in Los Angeles to climax his preparations. His SanMan stablemate Marlon Tapales will be in the undercard to face OPBF ruler Hiroaki Teshigawara of Japan in an IBF superbantamweight title eliminator. Tapales trained with coaches Ernel Fontanilla and Ting (Sugar) Ariosa at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
Manangquil said Mama is pumped up for his fight after two attempts to win the world title were cancelled. “Jayson has better chances to win in Dubai than in London,” he said. “This time, it’s a road fight for both Jayson and Edwards. I’m sure Edwards will have his supporters in the arena but so will Jayson. The fight plan is effective pressure from the start. Tatakbo si Edwards, that’s his game, kaya dapat sugurin ni Jayson sa umpisa pa lang at saktan. Switch-hitter at technical boxer si Edwards who can be aggressive, too. Kaya ’to ni Jayson. He’s very hungry.” Mama, the youngest of 10 children with his twin Jervin, is in Dubai with head trainer Ronerex Dalut, Jefti Tinamisan and Kerwin Yu. Manangquil said Gaballo and Mama are driven to win. The fighters are over 8,000 miles away from each other but they’re connected in a common dream to become a world champion.