FILIPINO world title challenger Eriberto “Yukka” Gejon will try to duplicate a feat two other current Filipino world champions did this year. And that is to bring back a world crown once held by a Filipino.
The 28–year-old Gejon will battle World Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight champion Yutaka Niida of Japan this Saturday at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Gejon will be eyeing a title previously held by Bacolod native Joma Gamboa, who reigned as WBA champion from December 1999 to December 2000.
International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight king Nonito Donaire Jr. regained for the country the 112-lb division title once dominated by polio-stricken two-division world champion Dodie Boy Pe?alosa in the early ’80s.
The 25-year-old Donaire stopped Australia-based Armenian Vic Darchinyan in the fifth round of their title encounter on July 7 in Connecticut.
IBF minimumweight ruler Florante Condes, meanwhile, won back the crown once worn by Filipinos Eric Chavez and Manny Melchor in the late ’80s and early ’90s, respectively.
The 27-year-old Condes snatched the belt from Indonesian Muhammad Rachman via 12-round split decision right at the dethroned champion’s territory in Jakarta just a few hours before Donaire’s conquest.
Gejon’s title shot against Niida is actually a rematch of their previous encounter where the Japanese escaped with a close 10th-round technical decision win of their 12-round title bout on September 2005 at the Arena in Yokohama, Japan.
“May injury kasi ako noon sa kamay at likod kaya nahirapan din ako sa laban. Ngayon wala na akong injury kaya tiwala ako na mananalo na ako,” said Gejon in an overseas interview with BusinessMirror.
Gejon’s loss to Niida was his first since turning professional in 1999. After the Niida debacle, Gejon fought only twice, once each in 2006 and 2007 and won both to raise his record to 23-1, with 14 knockouts.
Gejon trained mostly at the refurbished RSW Gym owned by International promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud, the same gym where Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao currently trains.
The 28-year-old Niida, who at five-foot-two is three inches shorter than Gejon, has a record of 21-1 with eight knockouts.
Niida won the crown from Thai legend Chana Porpaoin on August 25, 2001, in Kanagawa, Japan, but vacated the title two months later as he announced his retirement.
On July 2003 Niida made a comeback by challenging then-WBA champion Noel Arambulet of Panama but lost by split decision.
After one tune-up bout Niida had a return engagement with Arambulet on October 2004 and this time the Japanese came out victorious, scoring a 12-round decision win. Niida has since defended the crown five times.
The other day, Gejon weighed in at 107.14 pounds, just two pounds over the 105-lb limit.
Gejon told BusinessMirror that he is getting motivation from Pacquiao whom he saw in training at the RSW gym days before he left for Japan along with Filipino trainer Brix Flores.
“Ngayon ko lang nakita si Manny mag-ensayo at nakita ko ’yung aggressiveness niya kung bakit siya naging world champion. ’Yun ang kulang ko sa unang laban namin kaya dapat maging mas-aggressive ako sa rematch namin ni Niida,” said Gejon.
Salud, meanwhile, will leave today for Japan to root for his ward. Salud is eyeing to cement his claim as the most successful Filipino manager as he has already produced three world crowns under his stable, the most among Filipino boxing manager.
Salud once managed the careers of ex-world champions Malcolm Tu?acao and Brothers Dodie Boy and Gerry Pe?alosa.
