As far as he is concerned, revered Cebuano boxingman Rex “Wakee” Salud is optimistic his undefeated ward Eriberto “Ioka” Gejon will dethrone Japanese champion Yutaka Niida in their 12-round showdown for the World Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight championship this Sunday at the Yokohama Arena in Japan. But Salud admitted he is wary at the same time after his close friend in Japan, who is an avid boxing fan, warned him the only way for Gejon to come out victorious is to knock out his Japanese foe. “Sa ako lang, dako tag tsansa nga modaog kon abilidad maoy hisgutan. Apan nabalaka sab ko gamay kay gitawgan ko sa akong amigo sa Japan nga aron modaog si Gejon, kinahanglan gyud nga tumbahon niya si Niida,” said Salud.
As manager, Salud said he has done his part in extending all the support he could give, even up to the extent of bringing along with him Filipino sports hero Manny Pacquiao to Japan to further boost the morale of Gejon in the most defining fight of his career so far.
“Ako nang gibuhat ang tanan para ni Gejon. Ako gyung gidala si Pacquiao (Manny) aron pagpataas sa iyang morale kay importante kaayo ni nga away alang niya. Hinaut lang ko nga maningkamot sab siya og maayo aron dad-on dinhi sa atong nasud ang korona,” said Salud.
Salud will leave for Japan this Friday together with Pacquiao, former Cebu City Councilor George Rama and Manila sportswriter Nick Giongco. Gejon and his trainer Brix Flores are already in Japan. Salud divulged there’s a possibility that the world title fight will be telecast here in the Philippines via Solar Sports.
“Naay tsansa nga ma-telecast live ang away dinhi sa atoa. Sa karon, nag-negotiate pa ang Solar Sports sa promoter didto sa Japan,” said Salud.
Gejon, the WBA Fedelatin strawweight title-holder, is unbeaten in 21 fights that include one draw and 13 wins by knockout since turning pro in 1999. He won his previous two fights against Jun Ebale and Namchai Taksinisan via stoppage within three rounds.
Niida is similarly impressive, having lost only once in 18 fights spiked with three draws and 8KOs. He suffered his first and only loss so far at the hands of Venezuelan Noel Arambulet by split decision in their WBA championship bout. He, however, hit back at Arambulet to emerge as the new WBA champion on July 3 last year.
Meanwhile, Robert Allanic of Cliff Smart Stable did not lose as reported earlier by this writer, but won over Bukidnon’s Janrey Verano via an impressive TKO at the 1:20 mark of the third round in the undercard of last Saturday’s “Power Punch” card bankrolled by international promoter Sammy Gello-ani at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.
