CEBU, Philippines — Ramil “The Sharp” Macado, Jr. (8-0, 4KOs) of ARQ Stable braces for what is by far the toughest test as he trades blows with reigning Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) flyweight king Lawrence “Shotgun” Dumam-ag (9-0-1, 6KOs) of Mandaluyong City’s El Tigre Gym in an exciting showdown of undefeated prospects headlining the surefire blockbuster “Engkwentro 13” fight card of ARQ Sports Promotions on Labor Day, May 1, at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
ARQ Sports director Chelito Caro, press relations officer Roger Justine Potot, and head trainer Eldo Cortes led the formal launching of ARQ’s biggest show ever featuring a pair of World Boxing Organization (WBO) regional title bouts yesterday at the Fairfield by Marriott in Mandaue City.
They were joined by Mandaue councilors Marie Immaline Cortes-Zafra, Jimmy Lumapas, and Oscar del Castillo, SK Federation President Fleuritz Gayle Jumao-as, and Olympian Mary Joy Tabal-Jimenez, the officer-in-charge of the Mandaue’s Athletics and Sports Development Office.
“This is the first time we have a double championship, so I can say that this is our biggest card to date,”said Potot.
In the main attraction, the 28-year-old Macado will face Dumam-ag in a 12-round rumble for the WBO Oriental 112-pound crown.
A four-time national champion during his amateur days, Macado blitzed through eight consecutive wins as a pro spiked with 4KOs since he hooked up with ARQ in March 2022. He is extremely grateful for getting this big break in his budding career.
“Thankful kaayo ko nahatagan ko og ing-ani nga break especially sa among boss, si sir Jason Arquisola,” said Macado. “Kani nga fight kay special ni para nako. Dili man sad matawag nga pressure gyud ni para nako, basta ako ipakita unsa among gi-training ug buhaton nako tanan para modaog ani nga fight.”
Macado, who scored a smashing second-round knockout of journeyman Mike Kinaadman in his last ring assignment in October 2023 in Tuburan, Cebu, must be extra careful though as Dumam-ag is a tough customer to handle.
Unscathed in 10 fights with one draw and six victories via stoppage, the 25-year-old Dumam-ag from Zamboanga del Norte showed tremendous resilience in his previous match. He weathered two knockdowns in round three on the way to stop Anthony Gilbuela in the ninth round and grab the PBF belt on December 15 last year in General Santos City.
But the pride of Marbel, South Cotabato said he will be ready for whatever Dumam-ag may bring to the table.
“Dili gyud ta mokompiyansa kay sa background niya sa amateur, taas pud iyahang record. Mas nakauna pud siya sa professional ug beterano sad. Gamiton lang namo ang unsay natun-an namo sa training. Kumpyansa ko nga modaog gyud ko ani kay taas-taas among preparasyon ug amo ni gipangandaman og maayo,” Macado added.
In the co-main event, former two-time world champion Vic “Vicious” Saludar (24-6, 14KOs) will clash with Sanchai Yotboon (14-7, 9KOs) of Thailand for the WBO Oriental minimumweight strap.
Two other ARQ ring gladiators will be seeing action in the slambang event. Ian Abne will lock horns with Darwin Bayones of Laguna, while Reil Gabunilas will tackle Ronald Ewikan of Misamis Oriental.
In a special attraction featuring lady boxers, Casey Croft of California, USA will slug it out with Thai Peeyalulax Sanpokang in a six-rounder duel under the junior bantamweight class.