MELVIN Gumban has always been fighting under the shadow of his more notable stable mates at the ALA Gym, fighting in undercards of big shows or in smaller boxing events. However, this Saturday night, the spotlight will be on the 23-year-old as he headlines a televised boxing event in his hometown of Escalante City.
?Gumban has shown potential, being undefeated, but his biggest test is on Aug. 24, Idol ? Philippines vs. Indonesia in his hometown of Escalante,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu. ?His career path will depend on his performance.?
Gumban takes on his first foreign opponent in John Bajawa in the inaugural show of Idol, which will be aired on Studio 23.
?The fight should be exciting, depending on how Melvin performs.. It will also be a test of how he handles pressure because it will be his first foreign opponent in his hometown and it will be shown nationwide,? said Aldeguer.
But despite the pressure on his shoulders, Gumban is cool and composed, and is looking to impress.
?I?m not nervous at all. This is my first fight against a foreign opponent and it is in my hometown but I am prepared and I don?t want to disappoint,?? said Gumban, who recently signed a multi-year contract with ALA Promotions. ?I have been training hard with ALA boxing for years now and I am very honored to be chosen to fight for this big project.?
Gumban is 14-0 with six knockouts, while the 22-year-old Bajawa is 11-4 with six knockouts.
