| |
|
BITO DEFENDS WBO CROWN VS TADENA IN BOGO TODAY
By Salven L. Lagumbay PhilBoxing.com Fri, 30 May 2008

BOGO CITY, Cebu -- World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental champion Ryan Bito will defend his title for the second time today as he trades leathers with Bohol's Arnel Tadena of the Elaba Stable in a 12-round war at the 10,000-capacity Don Celestino Martinez Coliseum here.
Bito came in at 102 lbs, while Tadena was at 104 lbs during official weigh-in held yesterday.
International referee Tony Pesons will be the third man on the ring for the 12-round scrap sponsored by Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez and the city council.
WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo will be at special ringside to supervise this bout, the biggest boxing event to be held in the area.
Bogo, a newly-established city north of Cebu City, is known as the birthplace of the great Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, where a museum on the ring legend's boxing career is also housed with the approval of Mrs Laura Elorde, wife of the late boxing hero.
Bito took the crown with a unanimous decision over Saenpetch Sor Sakulphan on March 3 last year, and defended it with another unanimous verdict over Rodel Tejares in late 2007.
Tadena, who hails from Jagna, Bohol, gained notoriety when he defeated Alex Aroy last February. Aroy later died in the hospital following their ten-round encounter.
"My ward trained for a month at the ALA Gym in preparation for this fight. I know he is in superb shape, so fans should expect a riot on the ring," said Marwin Elaba, who manages Tadena.
Eight more pairs of professional bouts are lined up in the undercard, while 32 amateur match-ups are expected to entertain the crowd.
Amateur bouts kick off at 2PM, while the pro pairings start at 4PM.
Top photo: WBO Intercontinental minimumweight champion Ryan Bito takes to the scales while challenger Arnel Tadena and Bohol's Marwin Elaba look on.

Arnel Tadena, who challenges Bito, makes weight easily.

The author beside the larger-than-life statue of the great Gabriel "Flash" Elorde located inside the Don Celestino Martinez Coliseum.
All photos by PhilBoxing.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Set for All-Ohio World Title Clash Saturday LIVE on TNT & DAZN , Fri, 03 Jul 2026Dologuin Fights Alsayyad: Flyweight Showdown Today in Australia By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026Enano to fight for IBO Oceania featherweight title By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026IM Garcia captures National Open chess title By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026Open Workout: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Prepare For Saturday's All-Ohio World Title Showdown , Thu, 02 Jul 2026Dela Peña stops Delos Santos, now ready for Slugfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA , Thu, 02 Jul 2026Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Macababayao to face again Latonio after 4 years in Slugfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Legendary Olympic Trainer Victor Pascual to be inducted into the Republica Dominicana Hall of Fame By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels , Wed, 01 Jul 2026HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026World Boxing Council Joins the Humanitarian Aid Relief for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026LESTER MARTINEZ VS. LUKA PLANTIC ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES , Wed, 01 Jul 2026KORONADAL SLUGFEST: I’m always ready – Roherstrey Jhon Yor By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Gustavo Trujillo Stays Undefeated with Devastating Seventh-Round Knockout at Fist of Fury 11 , Tue, 30 Jun 2026World Boxing Council Unveils Special July 4th Commemorative Belt Honoring USA 250th Anniversary By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Jun 202612-Year-Old Filipina Memory Prodigy Georgina Santos to Represent the Philippines in Two World Memory Championships By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026World championship mega-fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez postponed to October , Mon, 29 Jun 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|