FORMER regional champion Ben Mananquil will trade leathers with Ronnie Baldonado for the Philippine Games and Amusements Board bantamweight belt in the main event of UKC Revolution 2023 on Monday night, Jan. 30, 2023, at The Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Center in Metro Manila.
Mananquil tipped the scales at 117.7 pounds, while Baldonado weighed-in slightly lighter at 117.6 pounds.
The 30-year-old Mananquil is eager to return to the winning column after losing his last fight. He suffered a fifth-round stoppage in the hands of Phumelele Cafu in a World Boxing Association Inter-Continental super flyweight contest in South Africa last July 29.
Mananquil is a former World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion. He won the vacant title with a unanimous decision win over Tenta Kiyose in 2019.
Baldonado, in the meantime, has his back against the wall and is in dire need of a win.
The 26-year-old Baldonado lost his last three fights. He was outlasted by Enrique Magsalin by a majority decision, stopped by Carl Jammes Martin in 11 rounds and was defeated by former world champion Sho Ishida by unanimous decision.
Mananquil is 18-3-3 with five knockouts, while Baldonado is 15-4-1 with nine knockouts.
Undefeated prospect Ali Canega (7-0-1, 4 KOs) locks horns with grizzled veteran Edison Berwela (18-46-8, 6 KOs), while journeyman Marjohn Yap (31-17, 15 KOs) clashes with former Manny Pacquiao sparmate Leonardo Doronio (18-20-3, 11 KOs) in the main supporting bouts.
In the undercard, Jahzeel Trinidad (7-0, 2 KOs) trades leathers with Cebuano former world title challenger Vergilio Silvano (21-10-2, 12 KOs), Jason Buenaobra (9-7-3, 4 KOs) squares off with Jonathan Francisco (10-18-1, 4 KOs), Jonniel Laurente (5-0-1, 3 KOs) slugs it out with Julbirth Tubiano (5-6, 5 KOs), hard-hitting Jonjon Estrada (15-10-1, 14 KOs) faces off with Pablito Canada (8-21-5, 2 KOs), Claudevan Sese (8-3-3, 2 KOs) is up against Rodel Sunquit (5-10-1, 1 KO), Malfred Majadas (3-1-1, 1 KO) is fighting Darwin Boyones (3-3, 1 KO), Donald Laurejas (2-0) is taking on Jonathan Gajana (2-0, 1 KO), former world champion Pedro Taduran (14-4-1, 11 KOs) returns from a long layoff and faces experienced Powell Balaba (9-34-1, 5 KOs), Arjhay Recto (2-0) battles Fernando Tagpuno Jr. (2-2, 2 KOs), Clarence Breboneria (2-2, 1 KO) exchanges blows with Marklin Itim (2-7), Jetro Pabustan (31-10-6, 9 KOs) takes on Aroel Romasasa (11-12, 5 KOs), Mark Jason Almacen makes his pro debut against fellow newcomer Daniel Balois and Raizen Jay Dela Fuente is also fighting his first pro bout against Anton Maglinte (0-2).