Philippines, 27 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Heavyweights in the Philippines: "The American Dream" Ronald Johnson vs "The Assassin" Saul Farah Headline June 15 in "Thrilla in Davao"


PhilBoxing.com




MANILA, Philippines -- Since the iconic "Thrilla in Manila" featuring the legendary Muhammad Ali battling Joe Frazier for the undisputed heavyweight world title at Manila's Araneta Coliseum in 1975, when was the last time that boxing fans had an exciting heavyweight fight here in the Philippines?

Can't remember, but the next heavyweight battle on home soil will be on Saturday, June 15, at The Enderun Tent, Azuela Cove in Lanang, Dakbayan sa Dabaw!

The stars of the special presentation are American heavyweight former WBC United States (USNBC) champion Ronald "The American Dream" Johnson (15-1, 4 KO's) of Las Vegas, Nevada -- who has trained by none other than Floyd Mayweather Sr. -- locking horns in a scheduled 12-round battle against the experienced big Bolivian warrior former WBC interim South American Heavyweight titlist "The Phoenix Assassin" Saul Farah (69-23-3, 60 KO's), a clash for the vacant Global Boxing Organization (GBO) heavyweight belt that no boxing fan in Davao can afford to miss.

Leading up to the rumble, "The Assassin" Saul Farah has been much more active than the American. The Assassin has already won two heavyweight combats in this year 2019, and won two more last year, while the 33-year-old American has been in zero recent fights.

Clearly, on fighting activity, the Assassin has a solid advantage. Ring rust could be a negative factor for the Las Vegas fighter. However, nobody knows for sure till the two big men are already trading blows on top of the ring.

Will "The American Dream" Ronald Johnson be able to overcome ring rust to successfully deal with the much more experienced and much more active "Phoenix Assassin to claim the GBO heavyweight title in Thrilla in Davao?"

Or will the Assassin send Ronald Johnson back to Las Vegas bruised and beaten up?

MORE EXCITING GBO TITLE RUMBLES IN "THRILLA IN DAVAO"


Nagulman.

In the show's co-main event, unbeaten Ifugao bantamweight Roy Nagulman (8-0-1, 6 KO's) collides against tough 18-year-old Indonesian Jufri Kakahure (4-2, 4 KO's) for the vacant GBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight strap. It will be the first time that the hard-hitting 17-year-old Roy Nagulman battles a foreign fighter, fans eager to see how Roy performs.



In another title clash, another unbeaten Ifugao prospect Khurvin Jhon "KJ" Natuplag (8-0-2, 7 KO's) climbs the ring to battle Reynold "Rey" Kundimang (4-1-3, 1 KO) of Indonesia for the Global Boxing Organization (GBO) Bantamweight Strap. Let's find out if the young heavy-puncher KJ Natuplag is able to push forward his young boxing career. A defensive mistake against the Indonesian fighter could be disastrous.



Moreover, 23-year-old Sultan Kudarat warrior Cristoval Turog (6-1, 2 KO's) of the Kaamino Stable squares off the more-experienced Orlie Silvestre (13-5-1, 8 KO's ) of Isulan City, the capital of the Kapuoran sang Sultan Kudarat, in an eight-rounder war for the GBO Asia Pacific Flyweight Strap.

The promising Cristoval Turog is one of the competitor boxers in the new GerryPens Promotions UBS reality TV show series to be aired on June 2 on ESPN5.

MORE UNDERCARD FIGHTS IN DAVAO

In another exciting combat, undefeated 19-year-old southpaw Ronel Dela Cruz (6-0-1 4 KO), also from Sultan Kudarat, collides against dangerous Raymart Ebones in a non-stop action clash. The contracted weight for Dela Cruz and Ebones is 113 pounds. This melee is a scheduled 6-chapter saga that might not make the distance. Who will emerge victorious?

The first bout of the show features fast 'n furious Gabriel Dasan (4-2, 2 KO's) exchanging heavy bombardment against the equally dangerous Nilo Entero in a four-chapter duel. The contracted weight for the two warriors is 109 lbs, which is one pound above the light flyweight division.


Filipino promoter Reynaldo Rodis brings back Heavyweight Action to the Philippines.

The main event rumble of Ronald "The American Dream" Johnson vs Saul Farah for the vacant GBO heavyweight title on June 19 at The Enderun Tent, Azuela Cove in Lanang, Davao, is a production of boxing promoter Reynaldo Rodis in association with the City Government of Davao.

Gate opens at 5 PM and closes at 7 PM sharp.

Fans are advised to arrive at fight venue on time.

May the best Men Win..!!


The author Carlos Costa is a boxing reporter living in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp/viber/wechat: +639184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • 11-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • IBA welcomes the victory of common sense in the IOC policy on protecting women
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Genetic Testing will be required in Olympic Games
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • “Lucky Boy" Alicaba Ready for Action Friday in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • WBO & WBA World Champion René “El Chulo” Santiago Hosts Open Media Workout Ahead of April 3 Title Defense in Tokyo
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Former WBA FEDELATIN President Panamanian Aurelio Fiengo passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • The 19th edition of the Kamatyas Rapid Open and Kiddies Chess Tournament on March 28, 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • WIG-WHAM! MILLER PLANS ‘OLD SCHOOL’ BEATING OF PERO IN LAS VEGAS
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • ProBoxTV Bringing a Storm of Flying Leather to Thunder Studios This Saturday, March 28, as Bryan Acosta Collides with Ronny Rios in Crossroads Bantamweight Slugfest
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Training Camp Quotes
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • House of Representatives say yes to the Boxing Revitalization Act and it is now sent to the Senate
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’ Kielczweski To return after 4-year layoff to fight at home on Granite Chin’s ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Ellaine Summer Abanco wins silver medal on tiebreak
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Catubig, McDowell win in DC Athletic 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Team Juna wins first competition in IRONMAN 70.3 Davao
    By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • 14-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • MMA legend Jon Jones joins IBA Bare Knuckle as global ambassador
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NEW EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION WITH DAZN
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • “The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Fighters Shine with Statement Victories in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Mar 2026
  • Red Owl Boxing Presents Box Fest XVII on Friday, April 3rd at The Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA and LIVE on DAZN
    , Tue, 24 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.