Challenger Raul Martinez of the US and champion Ulises Solis of Mexico will arrive on Monday with the tough task of breaking the hearts of Filipino fight fans on April 19 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Martinez challenges defending International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight king Nonito Donaire in the main event, while Solis puts his IBF light-fly throne on the line against Brian Viloria in the main supporting bout.
Team Martinez will be composed of chief trainer Fernando Castrejon and assistants Albert Cruces, Joe Villanueva and Daniel Martinez. Castrejon used to be the trusted lieutenant of the famed Nacho Beristain in Mexico City.
Solis, making the ninth defense of the IBF 108-lb crown he won in 2006, will be joined by Roman Cruz and Guillermo Brito Jr.
Both Donaire and Viloria are deep in training in the country with Viloria, who has never fought on Philippine soil, who arrived from Los Angeles last Monday for the final push of his preparation.
Other boxing dignitaries attending the fight at the Big Dome are Top Rank chief Bob Arum, who arrives on April 19, in the company of Top Rank top matchmaker Bruce Trampler, site coordinator Jim McConnon and photographer Rafael Soto.
Donaire, holder of a 20-1 win-loss record with 13 knockouts, faces a stern test in Martinez, a native of San Antonio, Texas, who packs a 24-0 with 14 knockouts.
Donaire, who is based in San Leandro, California, however, insists he is going to stave off Martinez?s challenge.
