UNDEFEATED Cebuano prospect Ardie Boyose finally gets the biggest break of his young career when he challenges World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth super featherweight champion Argie Toquero in the main event of “The Big Challenge – Champion vs. Champion” in Bacolod City on June 12.
Boyose has been making waves locally, going unbeaten in 15 straight fights after a draw with Rommel Banquerigo in his debut in 2011. The 20-year-old native of San Remegio has been impressive in his last three fights, knocking out all three in less than three rounds.
“He has a huge chance of winning because he has a knockout punch and his preparation for this fight went well,” said Boyose’s coach Brix Flores.
After a few bumps early in his career, the 21-year-old Toquero has been nothing but impressive, winning six in a row. His last two wins were knockouts against Japanse fighters Takaya Kakutani and Kenichi Yamaguchi.
Former world title challengerYamaguchi (18-3-2, 4 KOs) is also reportedly seeing action in the undercard against Rolando Magluyan (3-6-2).
Toquero is 8-3-1 with six knockouts, while Boyose is 15-0-1 with 11 knockouts.
Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) mini-flyweight king Merlito Sabillo (23-2-1, 12 KOs) returns to the ring against journeyman Powell Balaba (8-13-1, 5 KOs) in the co-main event.
Sabillo attempts to bounce back after losing his last two fights. He lost his WBO title after Francisco Rodriguez stopped him in 10 rounds in Mexico in March of last year. He returned to the ring in Cebu City last November but got unlucky after being stopped by Faris Nengo in the fourth with a cut above the eye that was caused by a punch.
