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Philippines, 20 Apr 2024 |
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ALL SET AND READY... IBO CHAMP EDRIN DAPUDONG EYES KO WIN OVER SITYATHA PhilBoxing.com Fri, 18 Jul 2014  East London, South Africa - With three months of long and hard training, two aborted title defense schedules, two very cold nights in Johannesburg and the long wait for the official weigh-in yesterday all behind him now, IBO World Super Flyweight Champion took a 30-minute walk in front the seawall of the Eastern Beach after breakfast and declared that he was all set for tonight's title fight against South African challenger Lwandile Sityatha at the Orient Theater here. "I dedicate this fight to my son, Tom Hector, and my wife, Rea, and to all those who supported me and prayed for me, especially my benefactors Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and Gov. Manny Pinol," Edrin said. Tonight's fight ends over one year of waiting for his first defense of the title he won also in South Africa in June last year with a first round stoppage of then world champion Gideon Buthelezi. His first title defense was supposed to have been staged in November last year but Golden Gloves Promotions of South Africa scrapped the title fight even after the contracts have been signed without any explanation. Then early this year, a group of American and British boxing promoters came to the Philippines and announced they will stage a fight card for the benefit of Typhoon Yolanda victims with Shane Mosley in the main event and Edrin Dapudong fighting in a world title defense. That too did not push through. Then came the word from South Africa asking if Dapudong would be willing to defend his title in East London in time for the birthday of the revered Nelson Mandela. That too did not come to pass without a hitch. Four days before the fight, the IBO informed the Philippine camp that a South African referee would take over from an English boxing official who could not come because of travel restrictions, prompting Dapudong's camp to protest and declare that the champion will not defend his title under a situation where two South African officials will be involved in the fight. It was finally resolved with veteran referee Bruce Mctavish, a New Zealander residing in the Philippines, was promoted from judge to referee and a new judge from Ghana, Eddie Pappoe, was asked to fill the vacancy. Early today, after a night's rest and sufficient food and water intake, Dapudong weighed 122 lbs., over seven pounds from his official weight yesterday. "We will maintain this weight at fight time because he moves well within the 122-125 pound level," said Nonoy Neri, Manny Pacquiao's assistant trainer who was asked to help prepare Dapudong for this fight. The Filipino champion said today that he is in his best shape compared to his previous fights on the road. While the camp of the challenger taunted Dapudong yesterday during the weigh-in, the Filipino champion remained calm and composed. "If he is ready, I am ready. If he is hungry, I am also hungry. The better man will be left standing tonight," Dapudong said. The Dapudong-Sityatha fight will be at about 8 p.m. South African time (2 a.m. July 19 Philippine time) and will be shown by Super Sports TV Network in most of the African countries. Photo: Dapudong in East London, South Africa.  |
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