Pinoys go up versus fearsome Mongolians

Two fearsome Mongolian fighters are in town to shake up the local boxing firmament but their Filipino opponents promise to skewer them in promoter Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde’s blockbuster free-to-the-public card at the Mandaluyong Gym in the City Hall complex tonight.

No Mongolian has ever fought here so fans are curious to find out if welterweight Baira Kim and lightflyweight Yura Dima–both based in South Korea–are as tough as publicized.

From their credentials, Kim and Dima appear to be menacing warriors.

Kim is the reigning South Korean welterweight titlist and has a 17-3 record, with 15 KOs. Five of his victims surrendered in the first round and three, in the second.

Dima, 27, is a seven-year pro whose victims include former world champion Ratanapol Sor Vorapin of Thailand and Filipino Ramil Anito. His record is 10-4, with six KOs.

South Korean preacher and boxing manager Choi Yungki said his fighters didn’t fly in to lose.

"My boys prepared hard for their fights," said Choi. "The Mongolians are a proud and hardened people. They know hardship and sacrifice. They know how to fight a war."

About 300 South Koreans are expected to cheer the Mongolians in the Mandaluyong gym.

Kim faces World Boxing Foundation (WBF) International welterweight champion Rey Pelonia while Dima takes on WBF International flyweight titlist Sukarno (Master Showman) Banjao in a pair of 10-rounders to highlight the card which is a joint undertaking of Elorde International Promotions and Jemah TV in cooperation with Mandaluyong City Mayor Neptali (Boyet) Gonzales II.

In the supporting bouts, World Boxing Council No. 3 lightflyweight Juanito Rubillar stakes his lofty rating against former Philippine champion Eugene Gonzales and former Philippine featherweight titleholder Baby Lorona Jr. battles veteran Dondon Lapuz.

Pelonia is unbeaten in his last five outings. His record is 32-22-2, with 21 KOs. Among his biggest wins were knockouts over Shigeru Abe and Ikuo Yamanaka in Japan, Aswin Cabui and Elvin Marbun in Indonesia and Adam Leavers in China. The rugged brawler has fought thrice in Korea, losing twice to Won Park and once to Kyo Sup Han so he has a score to settle. He’d like nothing better than to gain sweet revenge at Kim’s expense.

Banjao, 26, is fresh from posting three straight stoppages to raise his record to 18-6-1, with 13 KOs. A southpaw, Banjao was sensational when he poleaxed Yongkla Afrizal of Indonesia with a single punch in the eighth round to capture the vacant WBF International flyweight crown in Parañaque last September.