Rejuvenated Gejon makes ring return on Oct. 25

CEBU - Just when everyone thinks that he has gone to oblivion, a rejuvenated Eriberto “Yukka” Gejon will soon awaken his detractors and his loyal fans as well when he climbs the ring anew on October 25 to trade mitts with the upcoming Brix “Bomb” Ray of Davao City.

The battle-scarred veteran of nine years, Gejon will headline the second “Summit Fight Night” boxing tour presentation in Tagbilaran City at the Island City Mall car park.

“Gejon is one of the most under-rated boxers we have. He still has the potential to be a world-champion if given the chance to fight for the title,” assures Edmund Villamor who now trains the comebacking Cebuano warrior.

The once highly-rated world contender, Gejon has embarked on a punishing training regimen under the ALA Gym tutelage where he now trains daily.

“In all my years in boxing, I have never trained as hard as now. The big difference is that I get to spar with WBO champion Donnie Nietes and WBA Intercontinental title-holder Milan Melindo,” said a confident Gejon, who attributes his good conditioning to the castigating daily training rituals.

The soft-spoken Gejon first broke into the limelight on October 20, 2001 when he captured the Philippines 105-pound title by outpointing Lito Dangud. A few years after, he added another laurel by snatching the prestigious WBA Fedelatin miniflyweight championship through a technical decision win over Carlos Melo of Panama in Caracas, Venezuela.

The newly-acquired title offered him a lifetime opportunity to challenge for the WBA crown against the Japanese Yutaka Niida on September 25, 2005 but only to lose by technical decision when the fight was stopped in round four due to an accidental headbutt. A rematch was held two years later and the champion Niida successfully retained his title by decision over the Filipino.

Smarting from that devastating loss, Gejon suffered two more losses in Japan and has not fought since then.

But a fully restored Gejon will showcase a different fighting machine come October 25. However, it will not be an easy fight for Gejon because he is up against a hungry, strong-punching Brix “Bomb” Ray who was a former amateur standout.

To spice up the Summit boxing tour, PBF featherweight titlist, Ricky Sismundo of Harada stable, Bohol squares off in a grudge rematch with journeyman Reman Salem, while the fast-rising jewel of ALA Gym James Bacon tests the mettle of veteran Jojo Arnado.

Four other preliminary bouts will usher the free-to-the public Summit Natural Drinking Water Fight Night boxing tour. (THE FREEMAN)