Thai fighters miss presscon

CEBU - But promoter Gello-ani assures “Daytime Boxing 2-Thai Invasion” show will go on.

The three Thai boxers set to take centerstage in this weekend’s “Daytime Boxing 2-Thai Invasion” card failed to show up during the pre-fight news conference yesterday due to matters of serious concern but international promoter Sammy G. Gello-ani quickly assured the Cebuano fight fans that everything is fine and the show will push through as scheduled.

The Thais were supposed to depart for Cebu the other night but were grounded in their homeland because of the closure of Bangkok’s main international airport after it was overrun by anti-government protesters.

Gello-ani, however, gladly announced during the presscon at Teatro Casino-PAGCOR of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel that he received a communication from the Thai camp that they have found a way to leave Thailand from Phuket via connecting flights to Singapore, Manila and then Cebu.

“Our guests from Thailand failed to arrive on time because of the closure of their international airport that prevented all passengers to go out of Thailand. But the show will go on. Everything is on,” said Gello-ani.”They will leave tomorrow (today) morning and are expected to arrive in Cebu at 9:00 in the evening,” added the WB Asia-Pacific “Promoter of the Year” awardee.

The Thai ring gladiators who will strut their punching wares in the “Daytime Boxing 2” this Sunday at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex are Terdsak Jandaeng, Sirichai Kokietgym, and Thiti Sithkosol.

Jandaeng, a three-time world title challenger, will go up against RP’s Joel de la Cruz for the WBO Oriental super featherweight championship.

“I believe De la Cruz has a big chance over Jandaeng,” said Gello-ani who promised to give De la Cruz a title shot after being impressed with his performance against former world champion Somsak Sitchatchawal during the inaugural “Daytime Boxing” last September 14 at the Cebu Coliseum. “De la Cruz has a potential to be a world prospect. If he delivers that on Sunday, I think can consider him a world-class fighter.”

“In that fight, I consider him as the underdog because he’s up against a veteran fighter who has fought three times for a world title,” added Gello-ani. “Assuming he will beat Jandaeng, he will automatically make it to the top 10 in the world rankings. That will be a privilege for him to fight for a world title and will open the door for brighter opportunities for him in the US.”

Despite being lavished with praise by Gello-ani, De la Cruz remained calm and composed in his baptism of fire against Jandaeng.

“I’ve prepared hard for this fight and I’m ready to face him,” said De la Cruz, who sports a 10-5-1 record spiked with 4KOs - a far cry from Jandaeng’s menacing credential of 31-3-1 dotted with 21KOs. “I will just try my best to come up with a good fight.”

In the equally-explosive supporting bouts, Federico Catubay of Sibugay, Zamboanga will take on Sirichai, while Rolando Magbanua of Cotabato will tangle with Thiti.

The rest of the slambang card pits Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona vs. Richard Picardal, Eric Canoy vs. Abner Llanasa, Rey Labao vs. Leonardo Doronio, Reynaldo Belandres vs. Ranel Soco, Jerry Pahal vs. Romano Gelig, and Rolando Magallano vs. Sebusa Gonzalo.

The “Daytime Boxing 2” is co-presented by Gello-ani’s SGG Sports Promotions and INTV-CCTN Channel 47 in partnership with PAGCOR-Cebu, Omega Pain Killer and Thailand’s world-renowned Kokeit Gym.

Tickets are reasonably priced at P100 for general admission, P250 for ringside, and P500 for sponsor. Showtime promptly starts at 8 am and will be televised live nationwide except for Cebu and in RP’s neighboring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia among others.—EBV (THE FREEMAN)