Braga faces Avila in Elorde slugfest

MANILA, Philippines - Randy Braga, the country’s No. 4 featherweight contender, and Phl No. 10 Cristian Avila slug it out tonight in one of featured fights in the triple main event card of Boxing Kontra Droga at the grand ballroom of the Elorde Sports Center in Sucat Road, Parañaque.

WBC No. 12 light fly Rene Patillano clashes with Jovel Romasasa while Jay Loto takes on JC Francisco in the two other bouts in the event presented by promoter-sportsman Johnny Elorde in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Manila 101.

Braga, one of the rising stars of the Elorde Stable, has vowed to go for an early knockout as he tries to extend his unbeaten run to 15, including three KOs and one draw. 

Patillano, on the other hand, seeks to land a spot in the Top 10 of the World Boxing Council ranking.

Jeffrey Francisco from Palawan faces Arjet Caballes of Makati City while Diomel Diocos of Negros Oriental squares off with Ruben Traza of Taytay, Rizal in a pair of eight-rounders.

The prelims will feature four six rounders and four four-rounders, including Vergel Nebran vs Prell Tupaz (6 rounds; 126 lbs); Wilbert Berondo vs Ryan Medez (6 rounds; 116 lbs); Roderick Flores vs Junjie Lauza (6 rounds; 118 lbs); Zoren Pama vs Lowell Saguisa (6 rounds; 118 lbs); Ruben Langres vs Manny Mamacquaio (4 rounds; 116 lbs); Abraham Bullagay vs Oscar Lim (4 rounds; 116 lbs); Bryan Ascano vs Germine dela Rosa (4 rounds; 118 lbs); and Arvin Yurong vs Raymond dela Cruz (4 rounds; 123 lbs)                .

Meanwhile, the 15th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions will be held March 25 at the Manila Hotel.

The biggest gathering of ring heroes, with past, present and future boxing champions in attendance, the event promises to be an exciting one as the boxing card which will serve as the highlight will feature Juan Martin “Bai” Elorde who will defend his WBO Asia Pacific super featherweight title against top contender Hirotsugu Yamamoto of Japan.

For details, call 825-0625 and 0917-2504156.