Friday, July 27, 2007 Batawang gets new foe in Boxing World Cup
VETERAN knockout artist Bert Batawang will have to revise his game strategy as he finds himself facing another opponent after his earlier reported adversary, Francisco Rosas, will be unable to fight in the World Cup Boxing at the Arco Arena in Sacramento.
Batawang will now face the equally hard-punching Gerardo Verde for the 12-round IBF light flyweight eliminator on Aug. 11 in the Mexico vs. the Philippines event.
Verde also packs power under his gloves as shown by his 15-4, 11 KOs record. Batawang, however, is far better in terms of experience and toughness as shown by his 50-6, 34 KOs ring record.
In the other development, Diosdao “Prince” Gabi became the latest addition in the Team Philippines lineup, making the tournament a seven-fight boxing spectacle.
Toughie
Gabi (29-3-1, 21 KOs) will fight Mexican toughie Jose Angel Beranza, who holds a 30-9-2, 25 KOs record, in an eight-round contest.
The World Cup Boxing will feature two world championships, two world title eliminators and three eight round fights.
Campaign
Leading the Philippines’ campaign is the undefeated Boholano Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista (23-0, 17KOs) against Mexican WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (31-1, 28KOs) in the main event. The other fights will be between Gerry Peñalosa (51-6-2, 34KOs) and WBO bantamweight champion Johnny Gonzales (34-5, 29KOs); Z “The Dream” Gorres (26-2-1, 14 KOs) and Gerson Guerrero (33-7, 25KOs); AJ “Bazooka” Banal (13-0-1, 10KOs) against Eric Ortiz (26-6-1, 17KOs) and Michael Domingo (31-14-2, 12KOs) against Miguel Roman (21-0, 15KOs)..
The country with the most victories will win the $500,000 world cup made by Icelink. (RCM)
