TOMJUNE Mangubat is in for a tough assignment as he takes on former teammate Allan Villanueva in a 10-rounder in one of the featured fights of Omega Sports Promotions’ “Kumbati 11” on Oct. 22, 2021 at the IPI Complex in Mandaue City.
“This is a very important fight for him so that he’ll be able to move up the ranks and hopefully be able to fight abroad,” Omega Sports Promotions vice-president Jerome Calatrava told SunStar Cebu.
The 24-year-old Mangubat is riding a three-fight winning streak since a split decision loss to South Korean Jong Seon Kang in Vietnam in 2019.
Mangubat stopped Reymond Empic and Ryan Maano, and recently beat experienced Ernie Sanchez by unanimous decision.
The 25-year-old Villanueva is eager to bounce back after losing his last fight to Carlo Bacaro by unanimous decision. Before the loss, Villanueva, who fights under the guidance of Christopher “Ping-Ping” Tepora at the Big Yellow Boxing Gym, won 11 straight contests.
“This is a dangerous fight. Villanueva is tough and skillful,” said Calatrava.
Villanueva and Mangubat were once teammates at the Omega Boxing Gym before the former transferred to the Big Yellow Boxing Gym.
The 24-year-old Mangubat is 14-2-1 with 11 knockouts, while Villanueva is 11-1 with eight knockouts.
Christian Araneta (20-2, 16 KOs) is slated in the main event against journeyman Arnold Garde (10-10-3, 4 KOs) in a 10-rounder.
Araneta recently bounced back from a loss to Sivenathi Nontshinga in South Africa with a first round knockout of Richard Claveras last July 16, 2021. Garde, in the meantime, dropped his last four contests and is coming off a unanimous decision defeat in the hands of Jerven Mama in 2020.
In the undercard, Benny Cañete (3-0, 2 KOs) takes on Mark Jequinto (4-7-1), while Franco Serafica (6-1, 3 KOs) locks horns with John Keenan Villaflor (8-7-4, 2 KOs).