A day before they fight at the Skydome in SM City North EDSA, the Filipino boxers in the marquee matches all expressed confidence of their chances and gratitude for the opportunity to fight not only in front of a big audience but also for the chance to be seen live on television.
With boxing cards not getting a lot of airtime on Philippine television, Reymart Gaballo, Marlon Tapales, and Carlo and Dave Pe?alosa all know that this is a chance to convince Filipino fight fans to follow their careers and they promised to perform accordingly.
“I’m excited because it’s a big opportunity for my career,” said Tapales, who will take on Tanzania’s Goodluck Mrema in the featherweight division.
“I wasn’t given a fight for a long time so I had a long layoff. When I was finally given a fight, it did not push through so I had no other choice but to extend my break,” added the fighter who holds a record of 30 wins against only two defeats.”
Tapales won the WBO bantamweight title back in 2016 with a knockout win against Panya Uthok of Thailand. He fought only once in 2017 but he was not able to defend his belt as Tapales came in overweight. Because of this, he decided to move up to the featherweight division.
“I’m okay as a featherweight but I can also fight at super bantamweight,” Tapales explained. “My body became heavier but I also feel stronger so the fans can expect more aggression from me.”
Both Tapales and Mrema weighed in at the featherweight limit of 126 pounds.
In the undercard, fast-rising bantamweight Reymart Gaballo and his opponent Julias Kisarawe both weighed in at 118 pounds.
Gaballo has an unblemished record of 19 wins with 16 knockouts, leading some to call him the next Manny Pacquiao.
“I’m happy that my fight is going to be shown on TV. I’m excited to show the Filipino fans how I move inside the ring,” Gaballo said.
“It’s a lot of pressure to be called the next Manny but it’s also inspiring. I try to train harder each day so even if I can’t reach what sir Manny accomplished, I’ll still make a name for myself.”
Dave and Carlo Pe?alosa will also be taking on Tanzania fighters in Tuwalib Tuwa and Jemsi Kibazange, respectively.
Carlo Pe?alosa, who only has a single defeat in 13 fights, and Kibazange weighed in at the flyweight limit of 112 pounds while Dave Pe?alosa (undefeated in 13 fights) and Tuwa were both at 126 pounds.
“I feel excited and at the same time pressured,” said Dave who will be fighting his second comeback fighter after taking a two-year hiatus. “I came back because of my family. I came because of my surname: Pe?alosa.”
The card’s promoter Gerry Pe?alosa is hoping that a big win in the main event will catapult Dave into the world stage.
“If possible, we’ll ask the governing bodies, specifically the WBO, for a favorable ranking. Maybe in the top 10,” said the Philippine boxing legend. “Hopefully, by the first quarter of 2019, we can get a world title fight.”
