Gejon to challenge Niida anew on Sept. 1 in Tokyo

The dotted lines have already been signed for the lanky Cebuano slick-puncher Eriberto “Yukka” Gejon, Jr. (23-1-1, 14KOs) to challenge defending Japanese champion Yutaka Niida (21-1-3, 8KOs) for the World Boxing Association minimumweight title on September 1 at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

“We’ve already finalized everything with Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda. Gejon will challenge Niida for the WBA title on September 1 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo,” well-known Cebuano promoter and Manny Pacquiao’s confidant Rex “Wakee” Salud confirmed to The Freeman yesterday.

Revenge is definitely on top of Gejon’s mind when he goes up for the second time against Niida - the boxer who dealt the RWS Stable stalwart his first and lone defeat in his eight-year pro career, so far.

During their first encounter, Gejon vied for Niida’s WBA crown but lost to the Japanese crown-holder by a controversial split technical decision on September 25, 2005 at the Yokohama Arena. Referee Luis Pabon had to wave off the bout at 2:01 of round 10 after Gejon suffered a gaping gash over his right eye that rendered the Cebuano pug unfit to continue fighting.

Just when everybody who watched the match - including Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao - thought Gejon won as he completely dominated the Japanese champion, everything turned upside down when judges Pinji Prayadsab of Thailand and Wan Soo Yu both scored 96-95 for Niida. Only Medardo Villalobos of Panama favored Gejon, 97-93.

The decision was so highly questionable that Salud was forced to file a letter of protest to the WBA.

Following that heart-rending setback, Gejon returned to the ring in glorious fashion, stopping Thai Yoddoi Sithsoei in the second round in September last year at the San Andres Sports and Civic Center before pounding out a lopsided unanimous decision win over 10 rounds against Thai Wisan Sor Suchanya at the Rajah Sulaiman Park in Manila last March 3.

“Gejon has a very good chance of winning. All Gejon need is to prepare and train hard because this is a very important fight. This is a second chance for him to be a world champion and he must give all his best not to fail this time,” said Salud.

Gejon had been religiously training for the past few weeks at the RWS Gym under the guidance of longtime trainer Brix Flores.

This latest development raised the probability of the Philippines to have seven world boxing champions this year.

Two have already accomplished that gargantuan mission, thus far, in Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire and Florante “Little Pacquiao” Condes.

Donaire dethroned the previously undefeated knockout artist Vic Darchinyan by a shocking fifth round stoppage to wrest the IBF/IBO flyweight titles at the Harbour Yard Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, while Condes stunned Indonesian Muhammad Rachman by split decision to snatch the IBF minimumweight crown at the RCTI Studio Center in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Both fights were held on July 7, 2007 - considered a mystical date by many people on all corners of the globe.

Before Gejon’s world title shot, Czar Amonsot of the ALA Stable will slug it out with the unbeaten Australian champion Michael Katsidis for the WBO interim lightweight title on July 21 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, while Cebuano hard-puncher Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol takes on Mexican Ulises Solis for the IBF light flyweight diadem on August 4 at the All State Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

In the prestigious World Cup on August 11 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California, Boholano ring sensation Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista (23-0, 17KOs) will challenge Daniel Ponce de Leon for the WBO super bantamweight plum, while former WBC super flyweight king Gerry Peñalosa  will go after Jhonny Gonzalez’s WBO bantamweight title.—EBV