Saturday, February 10, 2007 Best RP, Korean boxers in Panagbenga boxing classic By Ernie Olson Jr.
TOP fighters from the Philippines and Korea will slug it out against each other in the most awaited boxing event in Baguio -- the Panagbenga 2007 Boxing Classic -- at the Baguio Convention Center (BCC) on February 25.
Pitted against the country's fourth best boxer in the featherweight division -- Rey Labao -- is Jea Chun-Mun, who is considered as the number two contender in the same 126-pound weight division of the Korean Boxing Council (KBC).
For the supporting main event, Rexon Flores, the World Boxing Organization's (WBO) intercontinental light flyweight champion from Cadiz City, will face Larry Mede of Baguio City, the Philippines' number two contender in the same 108-pound weight division.
Special attraction is a six-round bout between 108-pound female boxers Liza Sanggoy of Baguio versus Lim Ju Hee of Korea, the International Federation of Boxing Associations (IFBA) lightweight champion; and another four-rounder between Elsie Quezon of Cebu City and Jessabel Pagaduan of Baguio.
In the preliminary bouts are 122-pound fighters Jason Egera of Dumaguete City against Mike Tumbaga of Baguio (eight rounds), 118-pound boxer Alvin Tam of Baguio against Jessie Caballes of Manila (six rounds), 126-pound slugger Aldrin Tam of Baguio pitted against Jonnel Herman of Trece Martirez (six rounds), and 114-pound boxer Allan Tam of Baguio versus Allen Matugas of Trece Martirez (six rounds).
Curtain raisers are 122-pound boxer Roderick Wackit of Baguio against Ruel Cuizon of Caloocan City (six rounds) and 105-pound fighter Dave Perlas of Baguio versus Noah Trinidad of Bicutan, Taguig City (four rounds).
Sources at the Elorde International Promotions (EIP) said main beneficiaries of the event will be the families of slain and/or wounded personnel of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), the Cordillera Police Regional Office (PRO), the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) regional office, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regional office.
"After the boxing classic, a formal turnover of the seed money that would be raised and allocated from the event will be done in a public function, covered by media and witnessed by various prominent dignitaries and sports enthusiasts," said boxing promoter Enrique Sobrepeña III.
Sobrepeña said the boxing classic would be presented in coordination with Camp John Hay, Red Lion Pub & Inn, and acting Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, in cooperation with the Baguio Sportswriters' Association (BSA).
