4 Pinoys headline Casino card

MANILA, Philippines - Four Filipinos will face tough Thais in the blockbuster “War at the Casino: Philippines vs Thailand”  Aug 10 at the newly constructed Midas Hotel and Casino Tent on Roxas Blvd, starting at 6 p.m.

Philippine champion and WBC-rated Dennis Laurente fights for the vacant World Boxing Council Asia Jr. middleweight championship against Manopnoi Singmanassak who is determined to bring the coveted crown back to Thailand.

In the supporting mainers, two Elorde brothers will also see action in what is expected to draw a huge crowd in attendance. Current WBO Asia-Pacific champion Juan Martin “Bai” Elorde will face Rajakru Rungwatana in a 10-round encounter in preparation for his third title defense in December while younger brother Juan Miguel “The Boss” Elorde will battle Pinsanuthep Kiatchaiyong in an eight-rounder at 124 lbs.

WBC No. 6 contender Jonathan Taconing will battle Rambo Sithsaithong for a chance to fight for the WBC crown which was unceremoniously snatched from him when he fought last year in Thailand.

Laurente should win this fight convincingly as he is being lined up in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Rios fight in Macau this November.

Five more preliminaries and curtain-raisers will complete the card.

The event, promoted by sportsman and international promoter Johnny Elorde, is supported by Gatorade, Alaxan and Midas Hotel and Casino and the City of Pasay and the office of Rep. Emi Calixto Rubiano and Pasay Mayor Tony Calixto.