Philippines, 18 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Heavyweights in the Philippines: "The American Dream" Ronald Johnson vs "The Assassin" Saul Farah Headline June 15 in "Thrilla in Davao"


PhilBoxing.com




MANILA, Philippines -- Since the iconic "Thrilla in Manila" featuring the legendary Muhammad Ali battling Joe Frazier for the undisputed heavyweight world title at Manila's Araneta Coliseum in 1975, when was the last time that boxing fans had an exciting heavyweight fight here in the Philippines?

Can't remember, but the next heavyweight battle on home soil will be on Saturday, June 15, at The Enderun Tent, Azuela Cove in Lanang, Dakbayan sa Dabaw!

The stars of the special presentation are American heavyweight former WBC United States (USNBC) champion Ronald "The American Dream" Johnson (15-1, 4 KO's) of Las Vegas, Nevada -- who has trained by none other than Floyd Mayweather Sr. -- locking horns in a scheduled 12-round battle against the experienced big Bolivian warrior former WBC interim South American Heavyweight titlist "The Phoenix Assassin" Saul Farah (69-23-3, 60 KO's), a clash for the vacant Global Boxing Organization (GBO) heavyweight belt that no boxing fan in Davao can afford to miss.

Leading up to the rumble, "The Assassin" Saul Farah has been much more active than the American. The Assassin has already won two heavyweight combats in this year 2019, and won two more last year, while the 33-year-old American has been in zero recent fights.

Clearly, on fighting activity, the Assassin has a solid advantage. Ring rust could be a negative factor for the Las Vegas fighter. However, nobody knows for sure till the two big men are already trading blows on top of the ring.

Will "The American Dream" Ronald Johnson be able to overcome ring rust to successfully deal with the much more experienced and much more active "Phoenix Assassin to claim the GBO heavyweight title in Thrilla in Davao?"

Or will the Assassin send Ronald Johnson back to Las Vegas bruised and beaten up?

MORE EXCITING GBO TITLE RUMBLES IN "THRILLA IN DAVAO"


Nagulman.

In the show's co-main event, unbeaten Ifugao bantamweight Roy Nagulman (8-0-1, 6 KO's) collides against tough 18-year-old Indonesian Jufri Kakahure (4-2, 4 KO's) for the vacant GBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight strap. It will be the first time that the hard-hitting 17-year-old Roy Nagulman battles a foreign fighter, fans eager to see how Roy performs.



In another title clash, another unbeaten Ifugao prospect Khurvin Jhon "KJ" Natuplag (8-0-2, 7 KO's) climbs the ring to battle Reynold "Rey" Kundimang (4-1-3, 1 KO) of Indonesia for the Global Boxing Organization (GBO) Bantamweight Strap. Let's find out if the young heavy-puncher KJ Natuplag is able to push forward his young boxing career. A defensive mistake against the Indonesian fighter could be disastrous.



Moreover, 23-year-old Sultan Kudarat warrior Cristoval Turog (6-1, 2 KO's) of the Kaamino Stable squares off the more-experienced Orlie Silvestre (13-5-1, 8 KO's ) of Isulan City, the capital of the Kapuoran sang Sultan Kudarat, in an eight-rounder war for the GBO Asia Pacific Flyweight Strap.

The promising Cristoval Turog is one of the competitor boxers in the new GerryPens Promotions UBS reality TV show series to be aired on June 2 on ESPN5.

MORE UNDERCARD FIGHTS IN DAVAO

In another exciting combat, undefeated 19-year-old southpaw Ronel Dela Cruz (6-0-1 4 KO), also from Sultan Kudarat, collides against dangerous Raymart Ebones in a non-stop action clash. The contracted weight for Dela Cruz and Ebones is 113 pounds. This melee is a scheduled 6-chapter saga that might not make the distance. Who will emerge victorious?

The first bout of the show features fast 'n furious Gabriel Dasan (4-2, 2 KO's) exchanging heavy bombardment against the equally dangerous Nilo Entero in a four-chapter duel. The contracted weight for the two warriors is 109 lbs, which is one pound above the light flyweight division.


Filipino promoter Reynaldo Rodis brings back Heavyweight Action to the Philippines.

The main event rumble of Ronald "The American Dream" Johnson vs Saul Farah for the vacant GBO heavyweight title on June 19 at The Enderun Tent, Azuela Cove in Lanang, Davao, is a production of boxing promoter Reynaldo Rodis in association with the City Government of Davao.

Gate opens at 5 PM and closes at 7 PM sharp.

Fans are advised to arrive at fight venue on time.

May the best Men Win..!!


The author Carlos Costa is a boxing reporter living in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp/viber/wechat: +639184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Sirimongkhol, Midgley Make Weight for WBF World Title in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • ICTSI South Pacific on Oct. 28-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART II)
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • California Commission Backs Dana White’s ‘American Boxing Revival’ and Expanded Muhammad Ali Act
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS PRESENTS “COUNTDOWN TO THRILLA IN MANILA” AND “THRILLA IN MANILA 50”
    , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai Featherweight World Title Showdown Set for Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
    , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • Irish welterweight contender Paddy Donovan Positioned for another World title shot
    , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • DAY ONE: TEAM ASIA LAUNCHES TITLE DEFENCE WITH DOMINANT WHITEWASH AS AJ ‘STARBOY’ MANAS SHINES
    , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • CONNOR MITCHELL SIGNS FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AND DREAMS OF SURPASSING HIS LEGENDARY FATHER
    , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • CONWAY-LIDDARD YORK HALL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • PR Run - Break Your Record on Oct. 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART I)
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • BOXING HALL OF FAME RELEASES FALL 2025 LETTER OF APPEAL SEEKING FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
    , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • Mendoza bags bronze
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 20: MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III ON OCTOBER 1, 1975 AT THE ARANETA COLISEUM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: History of Boxing in Reynosa, Tamaulipas
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • YORK HALL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS CONWAY AND LIDDARD GET SET FOR HUGE DOMESTIC CLASH
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • Unbeaten Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes Set for Return on October 18 Against Derlyn Hernandez-Geraldo in Long Beach
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • JOEL “LETHAL” LEWIS RETURNS NOV 28TH THUNDERDOME 52 – METRO CITY PERTH
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • Shane Mosley Sr. Blasts Oscar De La Hoya of Blocking Son’s Title Shot, Calls for Trilogy Fight on Drew & Pris Uncensored podcast
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • MASOUD vs McGRAIL HEADLINES BLOCKBUSTER MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI CARD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • WFM Mendoza seizes lead in 2025 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • YOENLI HERNANDEZ KNOCKS OUT RAMON DELACRUZ SENA IN FIRST ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 8
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • BEN WHITTAKER TITLE SHOT CONFIRMED WITH PRESS CONFERENCE THIS FRIDAY
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST AMATEUR TALENT IN CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.