APRIL Jay Abne is in for another tough test in the main event of “Engkwentro 6” as he takes on former ALA Boy Christian Bacolod on Aug. 7, 2022, at the Bonifacio Bacaltos Sports and Cultural Centrum in Sibonga, Southern Cebu.
Abne looks to continue his winning ways by beating what could be his stiffest competition to date.
The 23-year-old Abne quickly rose in the Philippines’ flyweight after winning Gerry Peñalosa’s Ultimate Boxing Series (UBS) flyweight tournament by beating some of the most promising young flyweights in the country in 2019. He defeated Ronel Dela Cruz via a convincing unanimous decision in the quarterfinals, also beat Joseph Bayubay by unanimous decision in the semifinals and won against Ronel Sumalpong by majority decision in the finals.
Abne’s biggest win was when he walked away with a split decision over Ben Ligas in an Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) flyweight bout in Talisay City last year.
Abne, however, also suffered his first career defeat that same year after he was stopped by Garen Diagan in the first round.
Abne avenged that loss with a fifth round knockout of Diagan in their rematch on March 19. He’s a winner of his last two fights after he stopped Arnold Garde in Sibonga on May 21.
Bacolod is also coming into this fight winning back-to-back fights since suffering his first career loss in 2019. The 27-year-old Bacolod lost to unbeaten Thai prospect Thanongsak Simsri by a close unanimous decision in Japan.
Bacolod bounced back in 2021 with a unanimous decision over Pablito Balidio. He followed up that win with a fourth round stoppage of Jason Mopon last June 18.
Abne is 9-1 with five knockouts, while Bacolod is 14-1 with 10 knockouts.
Undercard
In the undercard, John Paul Gabunilas (7-1, 5 KOs) locks horns with Ruben Dadivas (8-1, 4 KOs), Berland Robles (4-0, 2 KOs) faces Ramel Antaran (5-17-2), journeyman Rodel Wenceslao (16-19-2, 7 KOs) trades leathers with Ernesto Cagampang (4-1-1, 4 KOs), BJ Wild (8-0, 6 KOs) slugs it out with former World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian Boxing Council (ABC) minimumweight king Mateo Handig (15-21, 9 KOs), Ian Abne (6-0, 4 KOs) is up against Charlie Malupangue (9-5-3, 6 KOs), Ramil Macado (2-0, 2 KOs) faces off with fellow unbeaten Alvin Camique (4-0, 1 KO) and Yeroge Gura (3-0, 1 KO) is fighting one-time world title challenger Jeffrey Galero (17-8, 8 KOs).
The Piala brothers Rodex Piala (5-0), and Brix Piala (4-0, 1 KO) are also seeing action in the undercard against yet-to-be-determined opponents.