JETHER Oliva and Fernando Ocon once again cross paths in a rematch on Feb. 13 in one of the featured fights of Sanman Promotions’ Brawl at the Mall – Glory at the Gaisano Mall Atrium in Gen. Santos City.
Five years ago, Oliva and Ocon headlined a boxing event in San Francisco, Southern Leyte in a 12-round title fight for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental mini-flyweight crown. That time, Oliva came in as a lanky 23-year-old with a 16-0-1 record, while Ocon, 20 years old then, was also unbeaten with a 7-0 slate.
Oliva got the better of Ocon and walked away with a unanimous decision after the 12-round war.
?Their first fight was very exciting, they were both undefeated. I’m sure this time it will also be a great fight because they are at a crossroad with both coming off from a loss. I know both of them will try their best because if whoever wins will have a chance to earn a big fight,? Sanman Promotions CEO Jim Claude Manangquil told Sun.Star Cebu.
After that fight, Oliva, who at one time campaigned in Cebu, immediately earned a world title shot and took on then International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight king Ulises Solis but lost by a lopsided unanimous verdict in Mexico. He would win six of his next 10 bouts but he didn’t really have success fighting overseas, losing to Moruti Mthalane and Zolane Tete in South Africa and Luis Nery in Mexico.
