CEBU, Philippines — Bohol’s pride Virgel “Valiente” Vitor (22-3, 15KOs) is primed and ready for a rare Chinese invasion on Philippine soil as he puts his World Boxing Organizat ion (WBO) Oriental super featherweight throne on the line against Yeerjialahasi Laayibieke (9-2, 6KOs) in the main event of “Kumong Bol-anon 17” fight card bankrolled by PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions today (Saturday, July 27) at the Bohol Wisdom School Gym in Tagbilaran City.
It will be Vitor’s first defense of the WBO regional crown he seized with a smashing seventh round knockout of Korean Tae Sun Kim last Marso 8 at the Saulog Gymnasium also in Tagbilaran.
In that match, Vitor showed great recuperative powers after survibing a second-round knockdown, dropping Kim twice in that round before snuffing the air out of the Korean visitor’s nose for good in round seven.
The 27-year-old Vitor has learned his lessons well from that fight that he is going to apply as he braces himself for another tough challenge against Laayibieke.
“Hapit gyud ko ato madisgrasya. Pero karon mas lig-onon pa nako akong depensa ug magdugang ko pagka-wise sa duwa kay dili sayon ang akong kontra nga giila sa ila nga lig-on og molahutay,” Vitor said.
An explosive duel is in the offing with Vitor predicting a knockout.
“Sa akong tan-aw naay knockout gyud. Di lang ko manganti og pila ka round,” Vitor boldly declared.
In the supporting main event, Vitor’s PMI stablemate in Gerwin Asilo (8-0, 3KOs) will exchange blows with Thailand’s Surat Eaim Ong (19-5-1, 14KOs) for the vacant WBO Oriental bantamweight belt.
In a special attraction, PMI’s Althiea Shine Pores will slug it out with Maria Theresa Pinili of Iligan City for the Philippine Female Junior Flyweight title.
The rest of the slambang show features the reigning WBO Asia Pacific Youth minimumweight champion Christian Balunan of Consolacion, Cebu vs Dexter Alimento of Batangas City; Reymart Tagacanao of Carcar City vs Renoel Pael of Matalom, Leyte; Kier Torregosa vs Angelous Pilipinas;and Shane Gentallan of Bohol vs Ariston Aton of Cagayan de Oro City.