| |
|
TUNACAO FLIES TO JAPAN FOR OPBF TITLE DEFENSE
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 10 Jan 2007
Reigning Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight champion Malcolm Tunacao is set to depart for Japan tomorrow as he embarks on a titular defense against Rolly Matsushita on Saturday at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Also flying out to Tokyo is Philippine bantamweight champion Michael Domingo, who will be seeing action in the undercard against Japanese Kazuyuki Ichikawa in a ten-round non-title duel.
This will be Tunacao's third defense of the OPBF title he won in late 2005, which he successfully defended twice last year.
Matsushita, formerly known as Rolly Lunas, is a Japan-based Filipino fighter who used to rule as the Pan-Asia Boxing Association (PABA) flyweight champion. Since getting based in Japan, he has been unbeaten in two fights, although he remains a heavy underdog against the very talented Tunacao, who once reigned as the WBC flyweight world champion.
"I've sparred more than 100 rounds for this fight at the ALA Gym and RWS gym in Cebu. I'm very thankful to Sir ALA (sportsman Tony Aldeguer) for allowing me to train in his gym and for expressing his whole-hearted support," Tunacao said in an interview yesterday.
If successful, Tunacao said he wants to talk to his manager, Tokyo businessman Yasuo Matsuoka, to negotiate for him a crack at WBC bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa, who is set to defend his title on April 29 in Kobe, Japan.
"That would be an exciting fight," Tunacao said on a possible duel with Hasegawa, although he maintains he is not looking past the durable Rolly Matsushita.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
, Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
, Tue, 10 Feb 202619-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
, Tue, 10 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 07 Feb 2026Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
, Fri, 06 Feb 2026Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
, Fri, 06 Feb 2026Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
, Fri, 06 Feb 2026Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
