Team competition is not something pro boxing fans are used to, but it will be a main ingredient in an Aug. 11 card at Arco Arena where fighters from Mexico and the Philippines will square off for the second World Cup trophy.
The best-of-seven format will include two individual World Boxing Organization championship matches, two title-eliminators between top contenders and three other bouts.
Daniel Ponce De Leon (31-1, 28 knockouts) of Mexico, who will be defending his WBO junior-featherweight belt against Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista (23-0, 17 KOs) of the Philippines, the No. 1 122-pound contender, said he believes the pride of fighting for your country should take precedence over personal honors.
“There is much at risk, but I know winning the World Cup is very important to all of our fighters,” De Leon said Tuesday from his Los Angeles training site.
Also in a title defense is Mexico’s WBO bantamweight king Jhonny Gonz?lez (34-5, 29 KOs), whose Filipino foe will be the 118-pound division’s former champion, Gerry Penalosa (51-6-2, 34 KOs).
Two years ago, the first World Cup crown was won by Mexico against Thailand. De Leon, though, says the Philippines will be tougher to defeat, given that this time the competition will be between two countries dominant in pro boxing.
“We are confident of winning again, but we expect tough battles against them,” De Leon said. “We have a long history of fighting against each other.”
A defeat of Mexico, of course, could create an awkward situation for the man scheduled to make the trophy presentation in the ring: promoter Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions.
“We don’t want that,” De Leon said.
