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Thursday, September 22, 2005
Sammy’s new project can KO with either hand
Federico Catubay is a puzzle to many boxing aficionados.
The 25-year-old ambidextrous fighter from Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay, has a knack for winning fights abroad, making him an instant attraction. In his latest fight last Saturday, Catubay sent Japan’s Masayuki Fujikake to the hospital at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
His exceptional talent as an ambidextrous fighter has deceived many of his opponents in the ring.
“I made a commitment to myself. I will be training much harder now and, hopefully, I could live up to the expectations of my manager,” said the soft-spoken Catubay, who is ranked IBO No.21, OPBF No.2, WBC No.37, WBO Asia-Pacific No.10 and Paba No.7.
Internationalist
Despite his credentials, Catubay is not seen much in local or even national promotions.
“We get so many offers for Catubay to fight abroad,” explains Catubay’s manager, Sammy Gello-ani. “At the ALA Gym we have three groups of boxers – one group is for local and national fights, another group if for international fights and then there’s elite boxers. Catubay is one of our internationalists.”
Since his arrival at the SGG Stable, Catubay has fought many times and not one of them in Cebu.
“We discovered his potential when my boxer, Fabio Marfa, fought him in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte. Marfa told me that the boy punches hard, so we decided to offer him to come to Cebu and train at the ALA Gym,” said Gello-ani.
“I saw his potential when I pitted him against Sherwin Paro in Carmen. That was the time he started to train with us.”
Catubay’s first assignment as a member of the SGG stable was in Muntinlupa, where he recorded a split-decision win over Jongjong Gagante after eight rounds.
He then lost to Juanito Rubillar in Antipolo, Rizal, before winning over Eddie Villegas in Guimbal, Iloilo.
He started to tread the international waters when he fought Oleydong Sithsamerchai for the WBC Youth and Asian Boxing Council 105-pound title in Thailand.
Catubay’s next stop was in Indonesia where he won two fights and drew one. He then challenged Saikalek Eakarin of Thailand for the WBC Youth and ABC light-flyweight title.
Big win
His biggest win was in South Korea when he beat former world champion Yo Sam Choi by decision. He followed it up with a TKO win over Yuri Dima also in Korea.
Catubay then challenged Jerry Pahayahay for the RP flyweight title, winning by TKO in Cagayan de Oro City.
His sortie to Australia ended in frustration when he lost by knockout to Hussein Hussein for the vacant OPBF flyweight title.
“I can’t believe that I was beaten that way. I could not sleep for three days, thinking only of that nightmarish loss. It was not the defeat that hurt me but the way I was defeated,” Catubay, who holds a win-loss-draw record of 16-9-3 with 11 knockouts, told Sun.Star Cebu.
Hard work
Before his fight with Fujikake, Catubay lost to Pramuansak Posuwan for the WBO Asia Pacific super-flyweight title in Thailand last July.
“The boy is hardworking and he could be the next star of the SGG Stable if he will be given the right opportunity,” said Gello-ani. “I was treading waters when I placed him in the minimumweight, light-flyweight, flyweight and super-flyweight divisions. But I feel he is very dangerous in the flyweight division, that is why we will stay in this division.”
On Nov. 26, Catubay will fight in an eliminator bout against Japanese Noriyuki Komatsu for the right to challenge OPBF champion Koki Kameda. (RCM)
(September 21, 2005 issue)
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