Friday, September 12, 2008 'Davao Hitman' gets southpaw boxer as sparring partner
THE handlers of Balweg "Davao Hitman" Bangoyan got their prized fighter a southpaw sparring partner from Manila to prepare him for the biggest fight of his career, a shot at the World Boxing Council (WBC) international superbantamweight championship belt opposite Kenya's Sande Otieno at the Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) Gym in Davao City on October 10.
Bangoyan's trainer Vic Adriano, who was one of the guests during the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn Thursday, said they will start their rigid training on Monday.
"He has already sparred 45 rounds so far. He will start sparring with a southpaw boxer from Manila this afternoon," Adriano said.
Adriano said it was to their advantage that the fight was moved in Davao City.
The fight was earlier set in Glan, Sarangani as the major highlight of its founding anniversary, but unstable peace and order situation in the area led the organizers to bring the fight here instead.
"We are very thankful to Davao City for accommodating us and for the support of the city government," Adriano said.
The trainer said Bangoyan, who hails from Jose Abad Santos in Davao del Sur, is giving up his Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) junior featherweight belt just to be able to fight in the WBC titular showdown against Otieno.
The 21-year-old Bangoyan, who is being handled by JAS Mayor Alex Wangkay, said in the vernacular: "I'm getting myself ready for the title fight. I'm really into serious training because I'm not taking Otieno lightly. I train three hours or more. I need to train harder and be more focus in my preparations."
The boxer said he's more comfortable fighting for a Davao crowd. "I'm very happy to fight in Davao. It is peaceful here. I ask Dabawenyos and all Filipinos to please pray for me," Bangoyan said.
The "Ring War in Davao" is co-presented by Davao City Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president and Davao City Councilor Paolo Z. Duterte and ZK International Promotions. (MLSA)
