MABAIT BATTLES JOHNNY GARCIA ON OCTOBER 11

Hard-hitting Filipino southpaw Marvin ?Chavacano Disaster? who is ranked No. 5 by the Philippine Games and Amusements Board in its latest ratings for the bantamweight division, will battle Mexico?s Johnny Garcia in Mexico on October 11 according to his manager, former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa.

Penalosa told the Manila Standard that Mabait who hails from Zamboanga City, which recently figured in a disastrous two weeks of fighting between forces of Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari and Philippine government troops, is himself recognized by Penalosa as a ?fighter who has talent and is really good.?

The 25 year old Mabait has a record of 18-1-2 with 12 knockouts and is coming off back-to-back TKO victories over Jeson Berwela (TKO 4) on January 17 and Rey Las Pinas (TKO 2) on April 13 this year after earlier losing in a Philippine super flyweight title fight to rugged Marco Demecillo by a 3rd round TKO. Mabait dropped Demecillo in the opening round but was himself sent to the canvas in round 3 and eventually lost by a TKO.

Garcia is 24 years old with a record of 18-4-1 with 9 knockouts and if he is the opponent mentioned by Penalosa, is the reigning WBC Latino super flyweight champion having won the title by an 11th round TKO over Oscar Ibarra last March 8 and a successful defense with a unanimous twelve round decision over Robert Pucheta last July 27.

Mabait who has been training under Nonito Donaire Sr in San Francisco signed a promotional contract with All Star Boxing Inc., headed by Tuto Zabala Jr and is co-managed by Penalosa and Vinny Scolpino.