RP pugs to fight for WBF int’l crowns

The World Boxing Federation (WBF) has approved six Filipino prizefighters and two Indonesians in the card dubbed "Quadruple WBF Showdown", giving Filipinos a chance to become champions.

Aside from Cadiz City’s Sukarno "Master Showman" Banjao, WBF president Mick Croucher has given a green light to former Philippine champions Rey Pelonia and Celso Danggod and young guns Mark Sales, Benjie Sorolla and Rey Orais to vie for the four vacant WBF International titles Sept. 25 at the Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque.

"On behalf of the WBF I would like to give you sanction approval for four WBF International title fights to be held in Manila, Philippines," Croucher was quoted in an email from Victoria, Australia dated Aug. 31 to promoter Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde Jr.

Elorde said in a phone interview from Tijuana, Mexico where he is guiding his fighter Juanito Rubillar for the WBC light-flyweight championship Sept. 4, "I want to make sure that we will have another Filipino boxing champion that’s why I give our young fighters a chance to vie for WBF titles."

Ferri Wirawan from Indonesia is pitted against Pelonia for the WBF welterweight crown, Danggod battles Sales for the WBF super-flyweight belt while Sorolla and Orais trade leathers for the WBF minimumweight title.

Banjao, who fights under Elorde’s stable, will see action in the main event. He will face another Indon, Yongki Afrizal, for the WBF flyweight crown.

The fight night coincides with the birth date of the "Grand Old Man of Philippine Boxing" Lope "Papa" Sarreal, father of Flash Elorde’s wife Laura–the parents of Bebot.

A special icon in Philippine boxing, Sarreal passed away nine years ago. He had produced at least 22 world champions of different nationalities, including Flash Elorde.

"We want to commemorate our grandfather’s birth anniversary in a very special way, by producing, hopefully four Filipino champions in just one evening of boxing," said Elorde, who added that Sarreal was his chief mentor and inspiration.