WHILE Ronald “The American Dream” Johnson predicted a second round stoppage of Saul “The Phoenix Assassin” Farah of Bolivia, the latter wanted to extend the rounds to punish the American in their Thrilla in Davao clash for the vacant Global Boxing Organization (GBO) World heavyweight championship belt at The Enderun Tent, Azuela Cove, Lanang, Davao City Saturday, June 15.
Johnson (15W-1D-0L), 33, World Boxing Council United States (USNBC) light heavyweight champion in 2009, tipped the scales at 244 pounds while Farah (69W-3D-23L) weighed 228 lbs during the official weigh-in and press conference at the Crevice Hotel yesterday.
The American said, “I am excited and very confident to be victorious tomorrow. It’s an honor and pleasure to share the ring with a warrior in Saul.”
Farah, a South American heavyweight champion, for his part, reminded Johnson about being a newbie in the weight division while he had been to over 50 heavyweight fights.
“Welcome to the heavyweight division,” Farah told Johnson on his own language, which was translated by an interpreter.
The Bolivian slugger also said that although he wants to knock out Johnson, he added, “I might opt for longer rounds so I could punish him. He must be ready to fight. I’ll let the action talk tomorrow.”
Farah, however, was quick to say, “Anything can happen. Anything is possible. I will show everyone that the Latino can do it.”
Red Boxing International chairman Rey Rodis, meanwhile, assured boxing fans of an exciting heavyweight “brawl” since Johnson is a tactician and Farah a slugger.
Featured in the undercard are the 12-round, 118-pound bout between Philippines’ Roy Nagulman and Indonesia’s Jufri Kakahure; the 12-round GBO Asia -Pacific Bantamweight championship fight between KJ Natuplag of the Philippines and Rey Kundimang of Indonesia; and eight-round GBO Asia-Pacific Junior Lightweight championship fight between Davao City’s Orlie Selvestre and Bukidnon’s Cristobal Turog.