RISING knockout artist Jether Oliva will again defend his Mindanao Professional Boxing Federation light flyweight crown against Rogen Flores in the maiden promotional offering of JM Boxing Promotion on March 28 at the Oval Plaza covered court in General Santos City.

Oliva won by technical decision over Flores last February 17 in Kabasalan, Zamboanga del Norte to retain the crown via a second round stoppage of Rodel Tejares of Bukidnon in December last year.

Valentine's 2009 blog

Flores was cut in the right cheek in the first round due to accidental head butt. In the succeeding rounds, however, Oliva inflicted more damage on the right eye of Flores, prompting the referee to stop the contest in the fifth round, according to reports.

The two vowed to settle the score once and for all when they meet again later this month.

Oliva holds an impressive record of 12 wins without a loss with nine of those wins coming via knockouts.

He will try to make Flores his 10th KO victim.

Flores is from Zamboanga City although he is fighting for Cebu.

In the supporting main event, Oliva's stable mate Ray Las Piñas will gun for the vacant MPBF bantamweight when he goes up against veteran Daniel Diolan over 10 rounds.

It will just be the 10th professional fight for Las Piñas who totes a 6-1-2 (win-loss-draw) record with three knockout victories.

Oliva and Las Piñas both belong to JM Boxing Stable.

Two more former amateur standouts will make their pro debut in the undercards. Randy Petalcurin will make his first professional fight against McDo Lungay, while Janjan Gello-ani will also make his pro debut against Alex Tubigon.

Several amateur bouts are also lined up for the summer boxing event billed as South Bay Showdown.

Preliminaries start at 5 p.m. Admission is free.