ANOTHER boxer who hails from the same neck of the woods as the Pacman is slowly gaining attention and making his presence felt in the fistic radar.
Jether Oliva (22-2, 10KOs) had a prolific 2014, going 3-1. That loss came against Moruthi Mthalane whom he challenged for the IBO flyweight title.
He lost via split decision but this demonstrated his capacities against a top-tier opponent.
This General Santos native bounced back nicely in his next two fights , defeating Wilber Andogan and Jimmy Gobel and in the process, annexing two regional crowns.
Edrin Dapudong lost his IBO super flyweight crown to Lwandile Sithyatha last year in a hotly-contested split decision verdict in South Africa , but his vast experience fighting abroad makes him one of our better known contenders.
Little known Bruno Escalante came out of nowhere to annex the IBA superflyweight title, by stopping Lorenzo Trejo in 4 rounds at the Fox Theater in California. He defended it two months later by defeating Victor Ruiz via unanimous decision.
Locally, our ALA pugs made huge strides. Genesis Servania (25-0, 11KOs) went 2-2 both via the abbreviate route, ( Alexander Munoz via TKO 12 and Jose Cabrera, RTD 10)
?Azukal? is currently ranked No. 4 by the Ring Magazine and it remains to be seen if his team can parlay that lofty ranking into a world title shot this year.
Jason Pagara registered two stoppage wins (Rusmin Raja KO7 , Mario Meraz, TKO4) while baby bro Albert Pagara fought like a man possessed, knocking out three of four opponents. ( to be concluded)
RIOS-ALVARADO 3. Today I give way to a fellow boxing fan, and doff my hat to my compa?ero Atty. Gonzalo ? Sally? Malig-on for his erudite take on this interesting dukeout:
?Alvarado is smarting from two consecutive losses, both disastrous knockouts.
Rios on the other hand was able to demonstrate his tough mettle by surviving 12 rounds against the Pacman. Though his last fight resulted in a disqualification, I still think he is tougher and more mentally prepared for this fight than Alvarado.
Rios wins via stoppage before the ninth round ?
LAST ROUNDS. Are on my compa?eros from the IBP Southern Leyte chapter, Atty Ramon Rances and Atty Edgardo Solon. Cheers!
