Omega boxers seek titles

CEBU, Philippines - Two of Omega Boxing Gym’s fighters face the odds as they go for regional titles outside of Cebu.

Jerry Castroverde is now in Russia to face undefeated Russian Shavkat Rakhimov for the vacant WBO Youth Intercontinental super featherweight crown on November 18 in DIVS, Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Meanwhile, Salatiel Amit goes up against Jonathan Taconing for the WBC Silver International light flyweight belt on November 19 at the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañaque.

Castroverde (9-3, 5KOs), who is accompanied by trainer Jingjing Tepora, is upbeat with this chances but is facing one of Russia’s top prospects for a world title. A win over Rakhimov would be a big boost to his career. He scored an upset over the highly-touted Lorenzo Villanueva in 2015 and is seeking to score a similar win.

The Castroverde-Rakhimov fight is part of a seven fight-card featuring Russia’s top boxers with four Filipinos from different stables seeing action. Ekaterinburg is a place around 1,700 kilometers east of Moscow.

The same breaks have been given to Amit (9-1-2, 7KOs) who is also going into his fight as an underdog against the world-rated veteran Taconing (22-3-1, 18KOs). Amit is looking at this as an opportunity to make a name for himself. He will be accompanied by Ian Colina and Jason Canoy.

Both Castroverde and Amit are promoted by Omega Pro Sports International (OPSI).

OPSI’s next event is “Who’s Next? 3” featuring Jhack Tepora against Galih Susanto of Indonesia for the WBO Oriental junior featherweight championship on December 2 at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex. (FREEMAN)