Confident Tuñacao guns for WBC title tonight

CEBU, Philippines - Twelve years since his lost his WBC flyweight title, Cebuano boxer Malcolm "Eagle Eye" Tuñacao has been dreaming to become a world champion again.

His long-awaited moment has finally come as Tuñacao (32-2-3, 20KOs) challenges defending Japanese champion Shinsuke Yamanaka (17-0-2, 12KOs) for the WBC bantamweight title at 8:00 tonight in Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan.

"I'm 100 percent ready for this fight. It's really my desire to become a world champion again and now that the opportunity comes my way, I will give eveything I can to win," said Tuñacao.

The Mandaue City-native fighter zoomed to fame early in his career, clinching the WBC 112-pound crown with a stunning seventh round TKO win over Thai Medgeon Singsurat in his only 11th pro fight on May 19, 2000 at the Srimnang Outdoor Arena in Udon Thani, Thailand.

Tuñacao's reign, however, was good only for eight months as after narrowly retaining his belt with a split draw over Korean toughier Celes Kobayashi, he was dethroned by Ponsaklek Wonjongkam via a devastating first round KO on March 2, 2001 in Pitchit, Thailand.

"After that heart-breaking defeat to Wonjongkam, I did not lose hope. I know deep inside that I still have what it takes to be a world champion," said Tuñacao, who is now based in Japan where he posted nine of his 11-fight winning streak that spanned for five years already.

"I feel that this is now my moment. I'm very confident of beating Yamanaka. All I ask from my fans out there in the Philippines most especially to my fellow Cebuanos is to help me pray for my success. I am fighting not only for personal glory but for the pride of our country," he added. (FREEMAN)