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CASTA?ARES STAKES WBF CROWN TONIGHT By Salven L. Lagumbay PhilBoxing.com Sat, 30 Apr 2005 MANDAUE CITY--World Boxing Foundation junior welter boss Dindo Casta?ares will defend his world crown for the first time tonight in the biggest boxing event in the country this year against Australian Steven Marks at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Center. WBF king Dindo Castanares after making weight while promoter Sammy Gello-ani and WBF President Mick Croucher look on. The busy-punching Casta?ares had won the crown with an eye-popping fourth-round stoppage over Colombian Guillermo "Pantera" Mosquera last December 14 in Auckland, New Zealand, just a few hours before Manny Pacquiao also blasted out Thai Fahsan 3k Battery back in Manila. Yesterday, Casta?ares tipped the scales at an exact 140 lbs, while Marks came in at 139 lbs during official weigh-in supervised by no less than WBF president Mick Croucher at the famed ALA Gym in Cebu. Australian Steven Marks flexes right after making weight, as promoter Sammy Gello-ani (left) and WBF President Mick Croucher look on. "This will be world war. I came here to fight and win the crown. I know Casta?ares is a great fighter, but I have been sparring against middleweight Sam Soliman back in Melbourne, and I'm ready for the worst," said the challenger Marks. Casta?ares refused to issue any prediction for the fight, but said he too has been preparing hard and plans to throw meaningful punches "starting from the first to the last round" if that's what it takes to retain his title. Promoter Sammy "Don King" Gello-ani, who is putting up this blockbuster event with the Mandaue City government headed by Mayor Teddy Ouano, also assured fight fans that this will be an explosive fight pitting "two warriors who don't run," and fights fans will crave for an encore. Earlier, WBF president Mick Croucher had informed that regardless of the outcome of this fight, a promoter from Australia has already pledged to hold a rematch. GAB Chairman Eric Buhain and WBF president Mick Croucher with GAB Comish Angel Bautista and friends at the ALA Gym for the official weigh-in. "We are putting up a giant screen outside the coliseum for those who may not be able to get tickets, and we have also put up additional lightings at the venue plus we will add more chairs for the ringside spectators," said Mandaue City Sports Development Commission chairperson Cheryl Ouano in an interview. In the chief support, WBA Pan African champ junior fly champ Bert Batawang takes on the tough-as-nails Roberto Rubillar in a 10-round non-title tiff. Batawang is hoping a win tonight gives him a ticket to unify his title with PABA champ Vicky Tahumil of Indonesia. In another tenner, Donnie "Ahas" Nietes takes on Elmer Muyco of the L&M Gym in an anticipated brawl, while Along Denoy trades leathers with Jun Eraham. Rollen Del Castillo also takes on Eddie Villegas (8 rds); Robert Allanic of Cliff Smart Stable battles Rolando Baclayo (8 rds); Jojo Entor swaps mitts with Gerope Mercado over four rounds. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.  |
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