Filipino boxer Servania inks multi-year deal with Top Rank

MANILA, Philippines – Another Filipino boxer has caught the eye of major boxing promotional company Top Rank Inc.

Top Rank boss Bob Arum on Wednesday announced he has signed featherweight contender Genesis Servania to a multi-year contract, adding another Filipino to his stable that includes Manny Pacquiao and IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Anjacas.

In a release, the promotional firm said it was impressed with Servania (30-1, 13 KOs) after he stood his ground in challenging undefeated WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez in September last year. The fight, held in Tucson, California, was Servania’s US debut, and the boxer did not disappoint.

We’re pleased to announce the signing of Filipino featherweight contender Genesis Servania! Info on his next fight to come. https://t.co/QBQ19tfFwX pic.twitter.com/42CYbIIr8z

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) February 21, 2018

Although he lost to Valdez (23-0, with 19 KOs) via unanimous decision, the 26-year-old contender showed he can fight, even knocking Valdez down in the fourth round of an action-packed bout.

The gallant stand against Valdez has opened new doors for Servania, who is ecstatic to become a Top Rank-promoted fighter.

“This is a dream come true,” Servania said. “I am very happy because Top Rank is the number one promoter in the world. It is such an honor to join Top Rank, led by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, who began his career with The Greatest, Muhammad Ali.

“I am very grateful and excited to be a part of the Top Rank/ESPN team. Especially now, with the recent launch of ESPN 5 in the Philippines, this is wonderful timing,” added Servania, who is nicknamed “Kashimi” and now fights out of Japan.

Servania has already bounced back from his loss to Valdez when he disposed of Kittiwat Sirichotchayakun in the first round with a left hook to the body in their fight last December 17 in Kanazawa, Japan.

The Bacolod City native won the first 29 bouts of his career, including a 2014 TKO win over two-time WBA super flyweight champion Alexander Munoz. He earned the title shot against Valdez when he stopped Ralph Jhon Lulu in the second round to win the vacant WBO Asia Pacific belt in April 2017.

Top Rank said it will soon announce Servania’s first fight under the promotion.