BEFORE the year ends, “Magic” Mike Plania trades leathers with tough veteran Jeffrey Francisco in the main event of “Double Trouble” on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City.
Plania looks to end the year with a win after losing his previous fight to Ra’eese Aleem in the US. Planio bowed down to Aleem by a one-sided unanimous decision in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) Nabo super bantamweight title fight in Los Angeles, California.
Even though the 25-year-old Plania lost his last fight, he is still world-rated – No. 12 by the WBO, No. 13 by the International Boxing Federation and No. 21 by the World Boxing Council.
Francisco should be a good confidence-boosting fight for Plania because the former is tough but is on a losing streak.
He dropped his last four fights, losing to Valery Tretyakov, Gary Tamayo, Jhunrille Castino and recently against Salatiel Amit.
Francisco is as tough as they come and has only been knocked out once in his career.
Francisco also fought the likes of former world title challenger Jason Moloney.
Plania is 26-2 with 13 knockouts, while Francisco is 15-6-1 with a knockout.
In the co-main event, undefeated prospect Ian Sampan takes on dangerous journeyman Jason Tinampay for the World Boxing Foundation super featherweight belt.
The 21-year-old Sampan won all three of his bouts in 2022. His latest victory was a second-round knockout of Joe Tejones last Oct. 29.
Tinampay is currently in peak form after winning his last two fights. He knocked out Eric Pulgo and Dave Barlas.
Sampan is 7-0 with six knockouts, while Tinampay is 13-16-1 with 11 knockouts.
Also in the card, RV Deniega (7-0, 4 KOs) squares off with veteran Jenny Boy Boca (14-9, 12 KOs).