RP welterweight champion Dondon Sultan will defend his title on Sunday at the Gaisano Country Mall parking area against Wakee Salud-prodigy Caesar Yarte.
Sultan, fresh off a stunning ninth-round TKO victory last Dec. 3 in Osaka, Japan against Taesei Marumoto, will defend his Philippine title for the fourth time.
Incidentally, his first defense was against Yarte on November 2002 which he won via a 12th-round knockout. His second defense was a split-decision draw against Rey Pelonia on April 2003 and in his third defense was a stunning first-round knockout victory over Ramil Caballes early last year at the Mandaue Cultural and Sports Complex.
TKO loss
This will be Yarte’s first fight of the year after coming off a heartbreaking TKO loss to Ryusuke Yhoda last August.
In the supporting headliner, former Philippine flyweight champion Federico Catubay will fight Mandaue City’s Louie Bantigue for the vacant PBF flyweight title. Catubay, after a series of unsuccessful forays for Asia-Pacific titles, was recently stripped of his Philippine crown for not defending his title within the one-year period set by GAB.
Co-presented by SGG Sports Promotion and US-based outfit Stein Global Sports & Entertainment Promotions, the Sinulog extravaganza will be shown free to the public.
“Andrew Stein of Stein Global Sports has shown great interest in Philippine boxing. We are pleased with their all-out support for boxing especially to our Cebuano boxers,” said Gello-ani. Stein, president of Stein Global Sports, will be on hand on Jan. 15 to award the champions in the upcoming event.
Completing the cast will be upcoming ALA and SGG Stable boxers against young pugilists from Mindanao. Heading the supporting line-up is ALA Boy Donnie “Ahas” Nietes against Cagayan de Oro’s Noel Veronque. Cliff Smart-sponsored Robert Allanic will be pitted against Nonoy Devilleres and returning Sherwin Paro will take on War Bartiquel.
Supporting bouts
SGG Stable’s Pedro Malco will fight Roy Llanasa from Camiguin. Upcoming ALA boys Rey Caitom and AJ Banal will trade fists with Rodel Tejares and Ricky Escaner, respectively. Opening the event will be former amateur gold medalist Rogen Flores and Noel Sungahid in six-round bouts against Eddie Villegas and JR Baclayo.
The matches will be telecast live on IBC 13 with sponsors Jemah Television, Hope-the Luxury Cigarettes, Republic Chemicals Inc., Outlast Battery and Gaisano Country Mall.
