ORIENTAL and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) lightweight champion Ran-dy “Kumo’ng Bato” Suico is highly favored to keep his regional belt, but Japanese challenger Koji Samejima is hopeful to pull an upset in today’s “Asian Cup” RP vs. Japan ring war to be held at the SM Mall of Asia located at the reclaimed area west of Roxas Blvd. in Pasig City, Metro Manila.
In the same card, Sibulan-Negros Oriental native Jimrex Jaca of the RWS Stable will defend his WBO Asia Pacific super-featherweight title against a dangerous Japanese challenger Ryu Miyagi also for 12 rounds.
This is the first time Japan is seeking for a World Boxing Organization regional title and not in any of the WBC or WBA affiliated titles.
Two other Filipino vs. Japanese match is promoted by MP Promotions and RWS International Promotions.
Wyndell Janiola (18-4-1, 9KOs) of the RWS Stable will fight Hirotaka Hisataka (15-5-1, 5KOs) for 10 rounds and Jun Piasidad (2-3) of Kokoy Elorde Boxing Stable will fight Noriyuki Komatso (22-4-5, 10KOs) for 6 rounds.
The Cebuano contingents left Cebu last Tuesday and had breezed through the weigh-ins held yesterday.
This will be Suico’s (26-3, 22KOs) second title defense after winning the title over Thai Pongpetch Chuwatana in October last year.
Last April, Suico pulled a unanimous decision win over Tomonori Nakagawa and the Mandaue City native puncher is hopeful to keep the belt against the Filipino slayer Samejima (15-1-1, 6KOs).
Jaca (28-3-1, 13 KOs), on the other hand, is looking forward to a better performance after wresting the belt from Indonesian Simson Butar-Butar last February.
However, Miyagi is not an easy prey as the 32-year-old punching wonder from Okinawa, Japan.
Miyagi holds a respectable 16-1-2, 12 KOs ring record.
Former Pan Asian Boxing Association (Paba) light-flyweight champion Marvin Tampus (14-6-2, 11 KOs) will fight the muscular Danny Pe?a (10-3, 5 KOs) of the Tiger City Boxing Club of Mandaluyong, Cebuano Jonathan Baat (3-2, 1 KO) against Eric Rapada (5-4-2, 1 KO) also of Mandaluyong.
Ex-Olympian Roel Laguna (7-1, 4 KOs) against Melvin Batolina (2-2-1, 2 KOs) of Valenzuela City, Ali Cali will debut against another pro debutante Richard Donaire, Jayson Siaton vs. Alvin Gonzales and debuting Rodolfo Sumabong vs. Ronel de la Pe?a (0-1) for four rounds.
