Mexican boxers to battle Filipino counterparts in Cebu

WHILE the Philippines eagerly awaits the prize fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez this November, two other Mexican fighters will face Filipino pugilists in Cebu on Saturday.

Rosbel “Lobito” Montoya and veteran Gerson Guerrero are the two Latino fighters set to face boxers Jason Pagara and unbeaten Genesis Azukal Servania, respectively, in the boxing card highlighting the ring rivalry between the Philippines and Mexico.

Headlining the event set at the Grand Pacific Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu is Filipino flyweight Milan “El Metodico” Melindo, who squares off with three-time world title challenger Francisco Rosas.

Undefeated in 24 fights, Melindo boasts of a good record which includes victories over former world champions Muhammad Rachman and Carlos Tamara.

Rosas, however, could prove to be a perfect match against Melindo for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental flyweight title as the 31-year-old had the experience of fighting it out with five world champions.

He also beat former world title holder Juan Jose Landaeta.

“He is awkward, tough, and throws punches from all angles. It won’t be an easy fight, but Milan has the edge,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said.

Meantime, Pagara will square off against Montoya (12-2-1, 11 KOs) in a battle between reigning regional champions.

Montoya is currently the World Boxing Council (WBC) Fecombox (Federation of Boxing Commissions of Mexico) light-welterweight title holder, while Pagara, dubbed “El Niño”, is the present WBO Asia-Pacific Youth champion and will stake his crown in the 10-round bout.

Servania, for his part, gets his first acid test as he goes up against the returning Guerrero, who fought some of the best fighters in the super-bantamweight division such as Ponce de Leon, Christian Mijares and Hugo Fidel Cazares. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)