The future is now

Three of the country’s rising stars in boxing will see action at the University of Southeastern Philippines gym in Davao City tomorrow in another Pinoy Pride blockbuster, the 29th edition of ALA Promotions’ joint venture with the ABS-CBN network.

One is called Azukal, sweet as Bacolod sugar. Another is called El Niño, referring to the weather phenomenon usually associated with heavy rainfall – he floods his opponent with a torrent of punches. The third is called King Arthur, reflecting his royal bearing only he rules in the ring, not on the round table. Two are unbeaten, have never fought overseas and may be due for a world title crack sooner than later. They’re all in the top 10 of the WBO ratings, indicating proximity to the top. It’s highly possible that before this year ends, one or two or all of them could be a world champion.

So tomorrow’s card is a preview of the future. There’s an added attraction, too. An undefeated 19-year-old featherweight from Tacloban is facing his first Thai opponent, a grizzled veteran who is eight years older and has victimized five Filipinos so far. The kid is another sizzling prospect who may be going places.

First, let’s zero in on Azukal. Genesis Servania, 23, is ranked No. 1 in the superbantamweight division by the WBO. He’s lined up as a mandatory challenger of WBO titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba. Servania has a 25-0 record, with 11 KOs, and holds knockout wins over former WBA superflyweight champion Alexander Muñoz of Venezuela, former interim WBA superflyweight ruler and A. J. Banal conqueror Rafael Concepcion of Panama and Indonesia’s Angky Angkota who dealt WBO lightflyweight titleholder Donnie Nietes his first career defeat in 2004.

Servania is the type who likes to mix it up. He’ll take as much as he gives. In July 2013, he figured in a brawl with Japanese Konosuka Tomiyama in Macau. Servania was down twice and Tomiyama once in the first round. Tomiyama was floored again in the third frame. The bout was stopped in the ninth round due to a cut on Servania’s left eyelid inflicted by an accidental headbutt. The Filipino won on a split technical decision. The Tomiyama fight is a classic case of Servania risking his unbeaten record to give the fans their money’s worth. That’s why Azukal is a crowd drawer.

Servania’s opponent is Mexico’s Juan Luis Hernandez who has won his last two outings, seven of his last eight to raise his record to 17-3-1, with 9 KOs. Hernandez, 32, has experience on his side. He turned pro in 2006, three years before Servania’s debut. So far, Servania has fought twice overseas, once in Dubai and once in Macau, and thrice in Manila. He’s slowly being exposed to foreign audiences in anticipation of a world title crack in the US. Rigondeaux is a hard nut to crack but Servania might just prove to be his tormentor.

Second is El Niño. Jason Pagara, 26, is ranked No. 4 superlightweight by the WBO behind No. 1 Chris Algieri, No. 2 Lucas Matthysse and No. 3 Ruslan Provodnikov. The WBO throne is vacant and there is talk that Matthysse and Provodnikov will dispute the title that Algieri relinquished to challenge WBO welterweight king Manny Pacquiao. Pagara’s record is 34-2, with 21 KOs. The Cagayan de Oro native has won his last seven assignments, five by KO. Pagara’s last seven opponents and 11 of his last 12 were decked at least once, indicating a high degree of power. Last June, Pagara stopped Mexico’s Mario Meraz in the fourth defense of his WBO International crown.  

Pagara has never fought abroad and only four of his fights were staged in Metro Manila. His two losses were to countryman Rey Olarte in 2007 and Mexico’s Rosbel Montoya in 2011. In a rematch, Pagara floored Montoya thrice and won by a stoppage in the sixth canto.

Facing Pagara in Davao City is Mexico’s Cesar (El Dolar) Chavez who has a 24-7 record, with 12 KOs. Chavez, 27, has won his last three bouts, all by KO. He turned pro in 2009 and swept his first 17 outings. The Pagara-Chavez will surely end in a knockout. Chavez’ seven losses all came within the distance, three in the first round, two in the second, one in the third and one in the fourth. Chavez is a devil-may-care gladiator. He knows only one way to fight – that’s coming forward and flailing away. Pagara should be able to pick him apart. Chavez, however, is dangerous because he couldn’t care less about getting hit for as long as he gets in his licks.

The third is King Arthur. He’s Arthur Villanueva of boxing hotbed Bago City. Villanueva, 26, has a 26-0 record, with 14 KOs. He’s ranked No. 4 by the WBO and No. 7 by the WBA in the superflyweight division. Villanueva is the IBF Intercontinental superflyweight champion and former OBPF, WBO Asia Pacific and WBO International titleholder. Last September, he scored a split 12-round decision over Nicaragua’s Henry Maldonado in Dubai. It was King Arthur’s fourth straight win over a foreigner, starting with Arturo Badillo then Edgar Martinez and Fernando Aguilar, all of Mexico. One of Villanueva’s victims was Thai Pramuansak Posuwan who retired from the ring after hitting the deck twice and losing on points in 2012. Posuwan is in the record books as the fighter with the most wins (28) in a WBO Asia Pacific championship bout.

Villanueva’s opponent is Mexican Julio Cesar Miranda who once ruled as WBO flyweight champion. Miranda, 34, lost his world title to Brian Viloria on points in 2011. He was here a year later to battle Rodel Mayol and yielded a decision. Among his knockout victims were Filipinos Ardin Diale and Richie Mepranum. Last November, Miranda claimed the Mexican bantamweight title with a decision over Fernando Aguilar. Miranda’s record is 38-11-2,with 29 KOs. He’s a tough test for King Arthur in their joust.

Finally, there is teenaged featherweight Mark (Magnifico) Magsayo whose record is 9-0, with 7 KOs. He takes on Thailand’s Sukkasem Kietyongyuth whose Filipino victims are Jun Piacidad, Paul Apolinario, Jilo Merlin, J. R. Mendoza and Mark Melligen. The 5-6 Magsayo turned pro two years ago and faces a veteran who last April, went to Tanzania to bowl over hometown hero Francis Miyayusho in a single round. Sukkasem, 27, has a 13-3 record, with 8 KOs, and is expected to push Magsayo to the limit.