World-ranked Mark Vicelles is in for a tough assignment as he trades leathers with fellow unbeaten fighter Jerven Mama in a 10-round bout in the co-main event of Omega Sports Promotions’ stacked “Kumbati 10” boxing show on July 3, 2021 at the IP Complex in Mandaue City.
“This should be a good fight,” Omega Sports Promotions vice president Jerome Calatrava told SunStar Cebu. “Well, it’s a dangerous fight. It’s a high risk for his (Vicelles) part. But it’s about time we faced a foe like Mama because we need to move up the rankings and be recognized by the boxing body.”
The 25-year-old Vicelles is currently rated No. 7 in the World Boxing Council (WBC), No. 8 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and No. 12 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
A win over a promising prospect like Mama should boost Vicelles up the rankings.
Vicelles has already fought twice since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the Philippines in 2020. He knocked out Junuel Lacar in the fourth round on Oct. 7, 2020 and stopped Richard Rosales in the fourth round on March 27, 2021.
Mama is also up against his best opponent to date in Vicelles. The 24-year-old General Santos City native has not fought since the start of the pandemic. His last fight was on Feb. 29, 2020, when he outclassed Arnold Garde by unanimous decision in a event promoted by his handler, Sanman Promotions, in General Santos City.
Vicelles is 13-0-1 with seven knockouts, while Mama is 12-0-1 with seven knockouts.
The show is stacked with quality all-Filipino fights.
Pete Apolinar (14-1, 8 KOs) slugs it out with former ALA Gym teammate Jess Rhey Waminal (14-3-1, 8 KOs) for the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Silver featherweight title in the main event.
On the other hand, IBF No. 7 ranked light flyweight Christian Araneta (19-2, 15 KOs) returns to action from his painful loss in South Africa and faces former world title challenger Richard Claveras (19-7-2, 16 KOs).
“We got some of the best opponents for our boxers right now,” said Calatrava. “We are doing our best for the entertainment side of things.”
In the undercard, Tomjune Mangubat (13-2-1, 11 KOs) trades leathers with battle-scarred veteran Ernie Sanchez (19-15-1, 10 KOs), unbeaten prospect Carlo Bacaro (8-0, 6 KOs) is in for a tough assignment against knockout artist Jhunrick Caredo (6-1, 6 KOs), Regie Suganob (6-0, 2KOs) squares off with MJ Bo (8-4-2, 4 KOs), Benny Cañete (2-0, 1 KO) is up against Jimpol Dignos (2-0, 1 KO), Rodel Suganob (2-0-1) takes on Reymar Condes (2-2, 2KOs) and Franco Serafica (5-1, 3 KOs) faces a yet-to-be-determined opponent. (EKA)