School, kidney patients benefit from boxing tilt

A GUTTED school in Besao and kidney patients in La Trinidad will benefit from the “Twin Rumble” world title eliminator headlining Dayer Gabutan and Matteo Handig this October 13.

WBO Oriental bantamweight titlist Gabutan and alumni of the St. James High School, which was recently gutted by fire, will defend his title anew against Indonesian champion Rasmanudin in the main event of a double header.

Asian Boxing Council minimum weight champion Handig is up for a bigger task as he faces off former world champion Katsunari Takayama in another 12-rounder.

Boxing promoter Brico Santig, in an earlier press conference, said both his wards will fight for the world titles in their divisions next year if they hurdle their assignments this October.

RP titlist Alvin Tam leads three other local boxers – Nathan Bolcio, Stephen Gelawa and Rex Wao – in the supporting events against veteran campaigners from Cebu and Metro Manila.

This will be preceded by six amateur bouts, featuring up and coming boxers from La Trinidad and Baguio City.

Santig said the promotion is being supported by the office of Rep. Ronald Cosalan. “We are hoping other local officials and business establishments would also support this undertaking to help raise fundsfor a noble cause.”

Boxing promoter Raffy Panagan said the promotion signals a milestone in local boxing “considering that the main events are elimination matches for the world titles.”

Both fighters for the Highland Boxing Gym managed by Santig started training weeks ago.

Denver Cuello and Florante Condes are expected to be brought to the La Trinidad Gym to serve as spar mates for Handig while super featherweight Ranel Suco is the primary sparring partner for Gabutan. (Roderick Osis)