Wednesday, October 08, 2008 Otieno vows to return to Kenya with WBC belt By Marianne Saberon-Abalayan
REIGNING World Boxing Council (WBC) International Superbantamweight champion Sande Otieno of Kenya vowed to keep his belt at all cost against challenger Balweg "Davao Hitman" Bangoyan in his second title-defense dubbed "Ring War in Davao - Battle of the Undefeated" set Friday night at the Rizal Memorial College (RMC) Gym.
"I will defend my belt. Balweg, forget about my belt. This is mine," warned the 33-year-old Otieno, who won all his past 16 fights including six knockouts, during press conference held at the Dwenzyl Restaurant, Times Beach, Davao City Monday evening.
Otieno said he promised his countrymen to bring home the belt.
"I must win. If I go home without the belt, they'll kill me. Balweg must kill me first before he gets my belt," Otieno said.
The unassuming Bangoyan, a 21-year-old stylish pug from Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur, however, was nonchalant about Otieno's tirades.
"Depensahan gyud niya na'g pag-ayo kay mailog nako na sa iya, sa maigo lang. Dili nako sayon-sayonon ning labana kay mura kog musulod sa buslot sa dagom para makuha nang iyang titulo (He had to defend it hard because I'll take it away from him if he gets hit. But I'm not taking this fight lightly because I'm going to pass through the eye of a needle to achieve that)," the Davao Hitman, who boasts of a record of 12-0 with seven knockouts, countered.
Both of their trainers also exchanged warniings against each other's ward.
Paul Otieno confirmed Sande's statement that they won't go home without the belt while Vic Adriano was confident that should Bangoyan hit his foe, the fight would be over.
Paul said they have prepared for the title defense for two months.
Jose Abad Santos Mayor Alexander Wangkay, co-promoter of the fight and Bangoyan's handler, predicted a knockout inside five rounds.
"A fifth round is even a bit long. There will be a knockout in this fight since both boxers are hard punchers. Let's just see who's the better boxer on Friday," Wangkay said.
He said this may be Bangoyan's international debut but the latter is not a pushover.
The Ring War in Davao-Battle of the Undefeated is co-presented by Davao City Councilor and Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president Paolo Z. Duterte and ZK International Promotions.
A golden belt donated by Davao City Vice Mayor Sara Duterte awaits the winner of the main event.
Sara and his father, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, are also backing the biggest boxing event to ever hit Davao City since the Manny Pacquaio-Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym "Duel in Davao" in 2002.
Kenya's Nick Otieno and Rexon Flores of the Philippines, meanwhile, are pitted against each other for the Philippine Boxing Federation Jr. Featherweight title in one of the undercards.
Nine fights are also featured in the card which is also supported by Davao City Third District Rep. Isidro Ungab, city government of Davao, Max 'D, Bama Trading, MetroLifestyle, Phoenix Gas Station-Malita, Mayor Benjamin Bautista, Jr., Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas, Felis Beach Resort, Hemavitton Energy Drink, Nice Hotel, Rhodora Iizuka and Norio Yamaguchi, Fabian's Catering, Aquabest Digos City, JCR Printing, JCR T-Shirt Gallery, Grand Men Seng Hotel, Oroderm Beauty Hotel, JVF Commercial and BJ Marthel.
Tickets are peged P2,000 sponsor, P1,000 ringside, P500 lowerbox A, P300 lowerbox B and P150 general admission. For reservations, contact (082) 225-3132.
