‘ROAD TO REDEMPTION’: BobPac to make lightweight debut in Cebu

Bigtime boxing continues in the Queen City of the South with the staging of another surefire blockbuster billed as “Road to Redemption” this Saturday evening at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront- Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

In the main attraction of the slambang show bankrolled by MP Promotions of boxing great Manny Pacquiao in association with RWS Promotions International of noted Cebuano boxingman Rex “Wakee” Salud, Bobby “The Sniper” Pacquiao (28-14-3, 13KOs) will  make his debut in the 135-pound division as he takes on Thai Decho Bankluaygym (28-10-2, 19KOs) for the WBO Asia-Pacific lightweight championship.

Pacquiao seeks a brand new start after suffering a humiliating first round knockout loss fo the unbeaten Mexican super featherweight star Urbano Antillon during his previous fight last March 13 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao has already fought three times in Cebu and ironically lost them all, twice against Raffy Aladi twice and the other one was dealt by Jimrex Jaca via first round stoppage on August 10, 2001.

Bankluaygym, on the other hand, saw action once in Cebu, losing by unanimous decision to Czar Amonsot on March 18, 2006 at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

In the supporting main event of the double championship extravaganza, Japan-based Pinoy warrior Rolly Matsushita Lunas will put his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight title on the line against Thai Kaonah Khlongphajon.

Lunas will make the third defense of the OPBF belt he seized by defeating the comebacking Cebuano ring star Malcolm “Eagle Eye” Tuñacao by technical decision on January 13 last year at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

In the equally-exciting undercards, David Rodela of Mexico will tackle Arnel Porras in a jr lightweight showdown scheduled for 10 rounds. Rodela is a regular spartmate of Pacquiao in Pacman’s mega-fights against Mexican legends Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Marquez.  

Ther rest of the card pits Darryl Oucdol of Lapu-Lapu City against Jaime Barcelona of Valencia, Bukidnon, Jetly Purisima of General Santos City versus Roilo Golez of Bukidnon, and Ryan Tampus of Cebu opposite Ghing Daculiat of Manila. – EBV