WORLD Boxing Council (WBC) No. 9 rated light flyweight Mark Vicelles will face a different opponent in Omega Pro Sports International’s (OPSI) “Kumbati 6” bubble boxing show on Dec. 18 at the IPI Complex in Mandaue City after Arnold Garde backed out.
“Garde wasn’t able to come due to health reasons,” OPSI vice president Jerome Calatrava told SunStar Cebu. “We are still looking for an opponent. We have a possible replacement, but we can’t disclose it yet because it’s still for approval. It’s not much of an opponent, but we’ll see if this boxer gets approved.”
The 24-year-old Vicelles is fresh from fighting in OPSI’s first bubble boxing event last Oct. 7. He demolished Junuel Lacar in four rounds in what was an activity fight.
Vicelles, 12-0-1 with six knockouts, was supposed to be fighting a keep-busy fight with Garde, who’s considered a club fighter. He must fight and keep himself busy to remain world ranked. Aside from his lofty ratings in the WBC, Vicelles is ranked No. 11 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 12 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
“These are things that you really can’t foresee,” said Calatrava of the sudden decision of Garde. “There are no changes in the rest of the card.”
Tomjune Mangubat (11-2-1, 9 KOs) faces Reymond Empic (7-5, 3 KOs) in the co-main feature. In the undercard of “Kumbati 6,” Regie Suganob (4-0, 1KO) locks horns with Robert Ates (4-7, 2 KOs), Carlo Bacaro (6-0, 5 KOs) trades leathers with Ryan Maano (5-9-2, 1 KO) and Benny Cañete makes his pro debut against fellow newcomer Roque Villagonzalo.
Following “Kumbati 6,” which kicks off at 1 p.m., will be “Kumbati 7” at 7 p.m. on the same day.
The card is headlined by IBF No. 7 light flyweight Christian Araneta (18-1, 14 KOs) vs. Roland Jay Biendema (15-6-1, 8 KOs).
Pete Apolinar (12-1, 8 KOs) squares off with Danny Tampipi (9-11-2, 5 KOs) in the co-main feature.
In the undercard, Ifugao sensation Carl James Martin (15-0, 14 KOs) slugs it out with Richard Rosales (14-13-2, 8 KOs), Albert Pagara (32-1, 23 KOs) is up against Virgil Putol (18-14-2, 9 KOs), and Franco Serafica (3-1, 1 KO) takes on Matthew Fondales (1-2). (EKA)