ON June 14, 1997, Cebuanos witnessed the first ever world championship fight at the Mactan Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City.
Gerry Pe?alosa, the youngest of the Pe?alosa boxing siblings made his first title defense after winning the World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight title from Japanese Hiroshi Kawashima five-months back.
His opponent, Seung Koo Lee of South Korea, the No.9 contender, lasted nine rounds before succumbing to the punches of the hard hitting Pe?alosa.
Since then, Cebuanos have been longing for another world title fight.
And nearly 10 years later, they will have their wish, and this time it will be at heart of the Queen City of the South—the Cebu City Sports Complex.
More exciting
The card, dubbed “Moment of Truth,” is a joint promotion of the Cebu-based SGG Sports Promotion and the US-based Golden Boy Promotions and will be on Feb. 24.
The card will carry the super flyweight championship fight sanctioned by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Mexican Fernando “Chucolito” Montiel will be challenged by Cebuano Z “The Dream” Gorres. This card is more exciting than that of the 1997 fight, as Gorres will try to win the throne currently occupied by the Mexican champion.
There will also be four championship fight in the undercards.
“This is only the second world championship card in Cebu and the first for Cebu City. We wanted to make this event bigger because the card will be held in time of the celebration of the Charter Day anniversary,” said promoter Sammy Gello-ani.
The event was made possible after the ALA gym won the purse bid for the title fight last year in Puerto Rico.
Boxing superstar Oscar De La Hoya, founder and president of the Golden Boy Promotions is rumored to arrive and watch the fight. On the other hand, GBP vice president Eric Gomez and international promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, WBO president Franciso Valcarcel together with some boxing personalities have confirmed their arrivals.
