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APOLINARIO IN SHOWDOWN AGAINST HERNAN "TYSON" MARQUEZ IN M?XICO; ESTRADA DEFENDS WBO/WBA TITLES AGAINST MEPRANUM PhilBoxing.com Sat, 05 Apr 2014  CEBU CITY, Philippines - Filipino bantamweight John Mark "The Iceman" Apolinario is ready for the most electrifying fight of his life as he takes on popular Mexican former Unified Flyweight World Champion Hern?n "Tyson" M?rquez in a high-voltage televised card on April 26 at the touristic Resort City of Puerto Pe?asco (Rocky Point) in the northwest Mexican State of Sonora, near the border of Mexico with the U.S. The 10-rounder - a classic of a hard-hitting slugger (Tyson) vs a fast slick-moving stylist (Apolinario) - will be at a contract weight limit of 117.5 lbs, a poundage in which the 24-year-old Apolinario (17-3-3, 4 KO's) has been fighting during the last couple of years. M?rquez, in contrast, has weighed-in at 112 lbs in his last two outings. Even though the 25-year-old Tyson M?rquez (36-4, 26 KO's) has gone through some issues about weight during his career, the interest of the Mexican in fighting Apolinario in the bantamweight division could mean that a fan-favorite as "Tyson" is contemplating a move up in weight class. Super flyweight for M?rquez does nos sound bad. If Marquez stays in the flyweights to shoot for a rematch against Filipino Brian Viloria or moves up to an upper division remains to be seen. What is sure, though, is that his April 26 Rocky Point fight against John Mark Apolinario is at a weight limit of 117.5 lbs (53,300 kilos) Whatever the weight, the Mexican former world champion better be in his best shape as the quiet soft spoken "Iceman" Apolinario - born in the Mindanao Province of Saraganai - will travel all the way to Mexico focused on scoring the most impressive win of his boxing career. Will Apolinario be able to do it? In fact, both boxers need a convincing victory, especially Marquez who comes from a dramatic, devastating knock out lost to the hands of his Mexican compatriot Giovani Segura (31-3-1, 27 KO's). Segura stunningly overpowered The Tyson Marquez in the last round of their volatile 12-rounder clash last November at the hometown of the Tyson, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. (Later, you may watch VIDEO of the SUPER thrilling M?rquez VS Segura fight below. But wait. For now keep on reading). Meanwhile, Apolinario's last battle was also a lost. The Iceman suffered a 12-round unanimous decision defeat to the more skillful Japanese World Champion Koki Kameda (32-1, 17 KO's). It was a battle which Apolinario took the attacks that sent him down to the canvas in round 10 and then again in round 12. The "Iceman" John Mark Apolinario bravely as a real pinoy warrior got up and kept on fighting till the last bell. Apolinario showed guts and heart in Tokyo. These considerations reaffirm the point that both men, "The Tyson M?rquez" and "The Iceman Apolinario" need a convincing victory to rectify their fighting careers. GOLD CHANCE FOR APOLINARIO For Apolinario, the chance is golden as M?rquez is a hugely popular former champion with an enormous fan-base, as well as a double-world-ranked boxer. Means that defeating M?rquez would automatically put Apolinario in the world rankings of the WBA and WBO, and into the path of challenging for a 4th time for a world crown. As a matter of fact, Apolinario's last 3 battles have been for a bantamweight world title. Two draws. One loss. No doubt, at 24-years-of-age, "The Iceman" Apolinario urgently needs an important win against a major player to reaffirm a foothold in the sport of pro boxing. The problem is... that player is named Hern?n" Tyson" M?rquez. Not easy job. Will Apolinario be able to pull it off? GAME PLAN NEEDED Marquez game plan is always swinging and banging. He is a natural born brawler tough slugger who loves his job to getting people knocked down and out. His first war against my Panama compatriot Luis "El Nica" Concepcion (WBA fight of the year) at the Roberto Duran Arena in my hometown of Panama was a heroic display of guts and blood for both "Nica Concepcio" and for the winner "Tyson Marquez. Another example: Tyson's epic against Segura (VIDEO BELOW DON'T FORGET). So Tyson's game plan is always the same: come forward throwing punches, causing damage. And results have been stellar. That's why Tyson Marquez has never been in a boring fight. Apolinario should expect to be pressed and attacked from the very beginning. So the Iceman's own game plan should be based on speed, smart moves and scoring points by landing jabs and combinations. Apolinario should circle to the right of M?rquez (a southpaw) to avoid the destructive left straight from the dangerous Mexican. In addition, at all times the "Iceman" should avoid being a steady target for the tremendously damaging fists of the tough Tyson Marquez who has sent to dreamland 26 of his opponents in 36 wins. Fans call him "Tyson" for a reason: his huge power. The fight of Tyson Marquez against Donaire do not count in the book of some boxing savvy gurus who know that "Tyson" Marquez was not in his weight class (Top Rank's good old way to protect his boxers). That is not the case anymore. Tyson Marquez is more experienced and his power appears to be still a lethal weapon. And it's precisely in the power department that the contrast is huge. Apolinario has a low 17% knockout ratio, while Tyson Marquez marks a hight up 65%. One well-placed blow from Marquez and the fight could be over in any second of any round. The Mexican's TNT power is in both hands ready to explode. So, most sensibly, Apolinario must be extremely precise in his defense as well as fast and accurate in his punches to have a chance at winning. Plus, the fight will be in Sonora, Mexico, the land of the Tyson. Most likely Mexican judges and ref (because its a 10-rounder non-title), so winning rounds.... round have to be won decisively throwing punches! TRAINING For this important clash, the Filipino has been training in General Santos City under the watchful eye of his long time head coach 48-year-old Arturo "Art" Advincula of Gensan, while Tyson has been working out with his usual team in his hometown of Hermosillo, Sonora. The "Iceman" Apolinario will travel to Sonora, Mexico, together with his Iloilo-born promoter Sammy G. Gello-Ani, director of of SGG Sports & Promotions of Cebu. The experienced Gello-Ani will be making another trip to the land of Ruben "El Puas" Olivares and Carlos Zarate. Sammy took Casimero to Mexico. And it was a victory there. (by the way, Casimero will defend on May 3 at the Waterfront in Cebu) In addition, Sammy Gello-Ani took his boxer to my country Panama and he scored another world title win there. Apolinario will be in experienced hands. Team Apolinario departs from Cebu, Philippines, en route to Puerto Pe?asco (Rocky Point) on April 19. Weigh-in is on April 25. Fight night April 26. APOLINARIO'S STATE OF MIND If there is one fight in which Apolinario should fight flawlessly is in this one, and he plans to do so: "I have been training well, I have even worked out at Pacman's Gym in General Santos City and I feel great and want to defeat Tyson Marquez. I was offered the chance of training in (the high-elevation area of) Baguio. But I don't like training in Baguio because it's too cold for me there. I think my body would weaken there. Because I live in a hot place. Mindanao is hot. So I like training in hot places which makes me stronger. "So I have trained in Gensan (General Santos City) for this fight and Mayor Lopez has helped me and especially my trainer Mr. Art and my promoter Mr. Sammy and I had great sparring partners too. I am ready for a great fight with Tyson Marquez" ESTRADA VS MEPRANUM FOR WBO/WBA WORLD TITLE IS THE MAIN EVENT In the main fight of the evening, Mexican Unified Champ Juan Francisco "El Gallo" Estrada - the tormentor of Milan Melindo - will make the 2nd defense of his WBO/WBA Flyweight World Super Title against Filipino southpaw Richie "Magnum" Mepranum (27-3-1, 6 KO's) of Maasim, Sarangani. It will be the third straight fight of Juan Francisco "El Gallo" Estrada against a Pinoy warrior. First, Estrada dethroned Viloria, then punished Melindo and now wants to scalp "Magnum" Mepranum. But Mepranum might not be an easy fish as Estrada might think. "The Magnum" has already fought for a world title losing against Mexican "Pingo" Miranda. He also defeated Tyson Marquez in 2010 but lost by points to Tyson Marquez in 2012. However, Mepranum's hunger for glory has not diminished. The 26-year-old Mepranum wants the Flyweight World Title and he wants it on April 26. Coincidentally, the two Filipinos fighting in the Roky Point card were both born in the City of Maasim in Sarangani Province in Mindanao, not far from where Manny Pacquiao is. Correct? While their Mexican opponents hail both from the northeastern Estado de Sonora in Mexico. We could say it's a card of Sarangani VS Sinaloa in boxing. Since "Tyson" Marquez and "El Gallo" Estrada are from Sonora and are about the same age they have become quite good friends. These two are by far two of the best flyweights in Sonora and Mexico. When you watch the video of the fight of Segura VS Tyson Marquez, you'll see "El Gallo" Estrada in the corner of "Tyson." However, the are friends, but not stablemates. Marquez is handled by Mexico's Zanfer while Estrada is promoted by Latin Sports Boxing (based in Los Angeles). The fight card this April 26 is a production of Zanfer Boxing aired live on TV Azteca. Recommended VIDEO: Watch Hern?n "Tyson" M?rquez VS Giovani Segura in November 2013. Its the latest fight from "Tyson." Apolinario should take a good look. Click here for a complete listing of columns by this author. Click here for a complete listing of this author's articles from different news sources. |
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