Aroy, Veronque out to settle old issue in Maasin tonight

MAASIN CITY - As his townmates celebrate their annual fiesta honoring their beloved patroness Our Lady of Assumption, Maasin's hometown pride Alex Aroy yearns to treat them with another solid night of fistic action.

But on top of that, the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) ranked No.3 minimumweight contender Aroy seeks to settle old issue with Zamboanga's Noel Veronque as they clash in the main event of "The Rematch" card tonight here at the city gym.

Exactly a year ago, Aroy dished out an impressive show of punching finesse, stopping Rolando Baclayo of Cagayan de Oro City in the fourth round.

However, Aroy failed to make an impression the last time he saw action before his fellow Maasinhons as his bout against Veronque ened up in a second round technical draw on November 25 last year topbilling the "Handog sa Birthday ni Mayor Damian Mercado" slugfest.

The match had to be stopped after Aroy was declared by ringside physician unfit to continue due a nasty cut above his left eye inflicted by an accidental headbutt. The stoppage happened in the second round, thus, the technical draw.

In response to the clamor of Maasin boxing fans who were not contended with the outcome of their first meeting, the sponsoring Maasin City Sports Council headed by its chairman Vice Mayor Maloney L. Samaco summoned the two fighters to mix it up again on the ring and prove who's the superior warrior between them.

Interestingly, the two protagonists suffered contrasting fates in their previous bouts. Aroy needed only 91 seconds to flatten Rolando Toyogon for good last April 7 in Ubay, Bohol, while Veronque lost via second round TKO last April 22 in Quezon City.

In the undercard of the slambang promotion presented by Rex "Wakee" Salud International in partnership with the city government and sports council of Maasin, Junrey Cañete of Bato, Leyte will trade mitts with Gerald Garcia of Mandaluyong City in a six-rounder duel under the light flyweight division.

Also to watch out for are three of Maasin's prospects in Angelito Entia, Adonis Aguelo and Jun Ferando, who will keep their hands busy against separate foes in four-rounder matches.

Entia and Aguelo will collide with visiting fighters from Cebu City in Jimmy Siscon and Reggie Campus, respectively, while Ferando will square off against Ian Arcalin of Dumaguete City.

An array of exiting amateur bouts featuring Maasin's promising simonpures will beef up the pro action.

Sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the card is also supported by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) through the Leyte Amateur Boxing Association (LEYAMABA) and ABAP Maasin City Chapter.

Tickets are priced at P500 for sponsors, P200 for ringside, P100 for lower box and P50 for general admission.