| |
|
First Thrilla in Davao on June 15
By Lito delos Reyes PhilBoxing.com Mon, 20 May 2019
 Johnson (L) and Farah (R).
DAVAO CITY ?- The first heavyweight title fight in Davao City will be held on June 15 dubbed as ?Thrilla in Davao? featuring Ronald Clyde ?The American Dream? Johnson of United States against Saul ?The Phoenix Assassin? Farah of Bolivia for the vacant Global Boxing Organization heavyweight title.
The 34-year old Johnson (15W-1L-0D) has been waiting on the wings for an opportunity to stake his claim as a future world titlist.
?Johnson is not a pushover. He was the USNBC light heavyweight championship in 2009 over Bill Bailey,? said Rey Rodis, chairman of the RED Boxing Intenational.
?But he cannot take his opponent for granted. He needs to have a definite fight plan if he wants to win?, said Rodis.
The 36-year old Farah (69W-23L-3D, 60KO) has won the WBC Latino heavyweight and the Bolivian cruiserweight championship.
?His (Farah) style is almost like Mike Tyson who comes surging forward to put down his opponent, the earlier the better,? said Rodis.
It has been 44 years following the 1975 Thrilla in Manila heavyweight contest held in the country?s capital during the Marcos years.
The ?Thrilla in Davao? is a 54-round boxing extravaganza presented by the RED Boxing in cooperation with the city government. (Lito delos Reyes)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27 By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026Luke Littler and Ben Whittaker join forces as Matchroom Sport takes over New York City , Thu, 25 Jun 2026IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026Boxers did it first: IBA President welcomes IOC’s decision on allocating funds among athletes , Thu, 25 Jun 2026PH national now ready for Asia-Oceania Sambo By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING , Thu, 25 Jun 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan arrive for Asia & Oceania Sambo Tournament By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026Mexican Hall of Fame Legend Carlos Zarate undergoes surgery in Mexico By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026IM Arca to see action in 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026 in Shenzhen,China By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026Lenar Perez to Face Former Two-Time World Title Challenger Thabiso Mchunu, with Fendero-Fondjo as Co-Feature on September 3 in Montreal! , Wed, 24 Jun 2026Gustavo Trujillo'S Remarkable Journey Continues as Reigning Bkb Heavyweight Champion Climbs the Pro Boxing Ranks , Wed, 24 Jun 2026AMER ABDALLAH APPOINTED ADVISOR TO THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN BOXING FEDERATION , Wed, 24 Jun 2026Youth Sports Sambo on June 25 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026Train for Puma Half Marathon in starts June 24 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 22 JUNE 2026 By Eric Armit, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026Team PH reigns in Senior League Softball Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Tournament in Indonesia By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026ZAYAS AND BOOTS KICK-OFF FIGHT WEEK WITH STORMY FIRST FACE-OFF IN BROOKLYN , Tue, 23 Jun 2026Santisima, Apolinar stop foes By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026BOOTS: I FEEL GREAT AT 154 , Tue, 23 Jun 2026Bohat is PBF Silver bantamweight champion By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026Mexican Boxing Olympic Team returns with bronze medal from Guiyang 2026 , Tue, 23 Jun 2026Lastimosa is PBF Youth light fly champ By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 22 Jun 2026Undefeated Unified Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Claims WBO International Flyweight Title, Stops Neider Valdez in Two Rounds , Sun, 21 Jun 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|