Julaton dares champs to duel

MANILA, Philippines - Former two-time world female superbantamweight queen Ana (Hurricane) Julaton has called out champions Yesica Marcos of Argentina and Jackie Nava of Mexico to face off if they dare with the bait of fighting in their home turf.

Julaton’s trainer Angelo Reyes told The Star yesterday if Marcos and Nava are worth their salt as titleholders, they shouldn’t be scared of taking on the Fil-Am – with the world crown on the line, of course.

Julaton lost her WBO 122-pound belt to Marcos on a unanimous 10-round decision in Mendoza, Argentina, last year. But Julaton made her mark as the only fighter ever to floor Marcos who has never fought outside Argentina in compiling a 22-0-2 record, with 7 KOs. Marcos, 27, has performed only in her hometown of Mendoza except for two bouts in Buenos Aires. Julaton traveled to Mendoza to defend her crown against Marcos under hostile conditions. She wants a chance to regain the throne even at the risk of meeting Marcos in her hometown again.

Since beating Julaton, Marcos has annexed the WBA crown which was relinquished by Nava when she took a maternity leave. Two weeks ago, Marcos retained the WBA title by trouncing Colombia’s Angela Marciales on a shutout as the three judges turned in identical 110-90 scorecards. Marciales has now lost five of her last eight outings and was once stopped by Lisa Brown, the 42-year-old veteran who outpointed Julaton in a bloody brawl three years ago.

“Yesica fought a terrible opponent and won easily,” said Reyes. “It’s silly to believe that was actually sanctioned as a WBA world title defense. In the meantime, Ana, who is ranked No. 3 by the IBF at 122 pounds, fought Perla Hernandez, ranked No. 10 at 126, in a 10-round non-title fight. Yesica’s fight showed how frightened she is, that she isn’t willing to do the right thing and give Ana a rematch.”

Reyes said Julaton won’t mind going back to fight Marcos in Mendoza. “Let’s hope the people of Mendoza realize Yesica is not a real champion if she continues to fight terrible opposition,” he said. “Just because you have a belt doesn’t make you a real champion. To this day, Ana is the only person to have Yesica taste the canvas. I asked the media in Argentina, particularly those covering Yesica, why the reluctance for a rematch, especially if Ana is willing to go back to Mendoza. Since the first meeting was able to draw 40,000 people, I’m sure the rematch would do similar numbers especially since Yesica had a huge controversy in her fight with (Marcela) Acuna in January. Their response was it would help if there is clamor from fans to do the rematch.”

Marcos’ fight with Acuna, another Argentinian, ended in a split draw allowing the defending champion to retain the WBA and WBO titles. Marcos has won thrice and drawn once since facing Julaton.

Reyes said Nava, 33, is another Julaton target. Nava hasn’t fought since halting Brown to keep the WBA diadem in August last year. She’s making a comeback after giving birth. “Let’s hope Jackie doesn’t take the Marcos route and fight a complete nobody,” said Reyes. “Remember, prior to her pregnancy, we were trying to make Julaton vs. Nava finally happen. I think a perfect stage for that to gain global exposure would be the Macau card on Feb. 22. I heard Brian Viloria might be in the card fighting to regain the flyweight championship.” The scuttlebutt is WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada may defend the titles he wrested from Viloria in Macau last August. The hitch is Estrada may vacate the throne to move up to the superflyweight division instead of taking the risk of battling a vengeful Viloria.

Reyes said Viloria and Julaton, both Fil-Ams, would make the bill more attractive for Filipino fans to fly to Macau. “It makes perfect sense, in my opinion, as a doubleheader in Macau since (Zanfer Promotions CEO) Fernando Beltran manages both Estrada and Nava,” continued Reyes.  â€œIt would bring together two of the most decorated Fil-Am fighters in sports history against two top Mexican boxers. I think it will be a huge ratings success. All it will take is some bravery from Nava’s side.”

As for Julaton, she said Manny Pacquiao’s recent win over Brandon Rios has inspired her to win back the world title. “It’s great to see Manny back in tip-top shape,” she said. “He’s the true example of a great fighter and hero for all of us. He’s the inspiration why I became a pro boxer. Watching Manny’s performance has inspired me to fight for the world title next and get back to fighting.”

Julaton, 33, has won three of her last four bouts and is back in the hunt for a world championship after yielding the WBO title to Marcos last year. Last month, she bucked a cut over the right eye and pounded out a gutsy majority 10-round decision over Hernandez to fuel her hopes for another title shot. She has now fought five of her last six in Mexico where the Fil-Am has become a solid fan favorite. Julaton’s record is 13-4-1, with 2 KOs.