| |
|
SULTAN DEPARTS TODAY FOR OPBF CHALLENGE
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 19 Jul 2005
RP welter champ Dondon Sultan flies out of Cebu today for his July 21 challenge of OPBF welter boss Kazuhiko Hidaka in Tokyo, confident that his long and rigid preparation will offset whatever hometown advantage his foe will have at the famed Korakuen Hall.
The 26-year-old Sultan takes a 7:45AM Philippine Airlines flight for Narita International Airport today accompanied by manager Sammy "Don King" Gello-ani and trainer Edmund Villamor.
When interviewed yesterday at the ALA Gym, Sultan admitted he will be facing a strong southpaw in Hidaka, but said he was not intimidated by it.
"I've faced stronger fighters in the past. I saw the tape of his fight against Rev Santillan and another tape against a Thai fighter. I know what punch to watch out for. I am dedicating this fight to my wife Emily and my two children Jay Boy and Joyce," said the Labason, Zamboanga native in local dialect.
"If it's God's will that I am going to win this crown, then so be it. If it's not for me, then it's all up to the Lord," added the RP champion.
Sultan looked superbly in great shape during his last 4-round sparring session last Thursday against top-ranked lightweight Dexter Delada. His other sparmates during the course of his preparation include OPBF champ Randy Suico, WBF junior welter king Dindo Castanares, RP junior welter champ Bart Abapo, and Japanese Noriharu Iwatani.
"I'm pretty much within the weight limit. Yesterday, I already made weight," Sultan said.
The official weigh-in is set tomorrow at the Japan Boxing Commission office in Tokyo, just a stone's throw away from the fight venue Korakuen Hall.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
July 4: Albert Bell Steps In to Challenge Abdullah Mason in All-Ohio WBO Lightweight World Title Showdown at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center LIVE on TNT and DAZN
, Fri, 26 Jun 2026Zamboanga relinquishes her ONE Women’s title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Top-ranked Charly Suarez facing Manuel Avila, plus two more fights added to July 18 ProBoxTV event
, Fri, 26 Jun 2026Yanon fights Kaji in Tokyo on July 4
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Preparations underway for 2026 IBA men’s divisional continental championships
, Fri, 26 Jun 2026Highland 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 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
