CEBU, Philippines – Melvin 'Top Gun' Gumban (18-0, 9KOs) hopes to jack up his blossoming career as he takes on Weljan Ugbaniel (13-2, 4KOs) for the vacant Philippine super flyweight title in the main event of ALA Promotions' annual Sinulog Boxing Festival on January 18 at the Gaisano Countrymall carpark.
Gumban, who hails from Escalante City, Negros Occidental, is coming off a splendid first round knockout win against Roger Echavez on October 18 last year at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center in Bacolod City.
Before that, the 24-year-old Gumban posted a string of victories over veteran fighters in in the likes of Louie Bantigue, Nelson Llanos, Philip Parcon and former WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion Jason Egera.
In the supporting main event, Elmo 'Bisdak' Traya (6-1, 5KOs) will slug it out with Gabby Siempo (5-5, 1 KO) of Cagayan De Oro in an eight-round lightweight bout.
The rest of the card features Vicente Casido versus John Rey Lorico; Melvin Jerusalem versus Rez Padrogane; Gerald Suico versus Junrex Saldivia; Michael Estrella versus Jonne Burlado; Junder Gregorio versus Jesson Horteza; and Joepher Montano versus Melvin Lagumbay. (FREEMAN)