CEBU, Philippines - Genesis “Azucal†Servania does not fight for himself. Raised in poverty in Bacolod, his familial situation was far from ideal. His father being a convicted felon made it difficult for him to find work which left only his mother capable of earning an income for the family.
Since Servania was born, she had been selling two buckets of fish door-to-door, and came home only when she managed to sell them all. As soon as he was able, the daily duty of fetching heavy loads of water and firewood for the family's livelihood fell to Servania.
His experiences has shaped his work ethic and developed his sense of dedication and sacrifice both in and out of the ring. Even now as his career is on way to a flourishing success, he has not forgotten the needs of his family.
On his victorious defense of his WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight title against Japanese fighter Konosuke Tomiyama last July, his fight purse went straight to the bail payment for a brother that had been jailed for three years.
And as if pressures couldn't get any higher, the weight of Servania's next challenge is the highest yet. His next opponent is Rafael “El Torito†Concepcion, a fighter that is no stranger to intense Filipino talent. In a high-stakes match with then undefeated AJ “Bazooka†Banal for the interim WBA super flyweight title, Concepcion dropped Banal in an unexpected KO in the 10th round.
So for this Pinoy Pride XXII set on October 26 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Servania fights not only for his family. He fights for Pinoy boxing fans everywhere.
Also fighting alongside him on this card is fellow undefeated stablemate ‘King’ Arthur Villanueva (23-0, 13KOs). He will be defending his WBO Asia-Pacific super flyweight crown against Mexican Edgar ‘Chololo’ Martinez (16-7, 10KOs). (PR)(FREEMAN)