Filipino challenger Genesis Servania makes an ambitious attempt at winning a world title Friday night (Saturday morning in Manila) when he faces a fair-haired boy of Top Rank chief Bob Arum in Tucson, Arizona.
Ranked fourth, Servania (29-0 with 12 KOs) challenges fellow undefeated Oscar Valdez (22-0 with 19 KOs), who will be risking the World Boxing Organization featherweght title for the third time at the Tucson Arena.
Valdez, a two-time Mexican Olympian and 2009 world amateur championship bronze medalist and 2008 world youth champion, is heavily favored to repulse the challenge of Servania, who used to fight under the ALA Boxing Club of Cebu.
Now being managed by a Japanese group, Servania, now based in Kanazawa, Japan, spent his career fighting under ALA Boxing before the two parted ways two years ago.
Servania?s chance at Valdez?s WBO jewels comes at a time when the Philippines is eyeing to add another world champion to the current three.
The reigning Filipino titleholders are Milan Melindo, Donnie Nietes and Jerwin Ancajas and Servania is facing huge odds in joining the elite cast.
A media workout is set to take place today with Valdez and Servania showcasing their wares followed by a press conference the next day. The official weigh in happens Thursday.
Valdez is no stranger to Filipino fight fans, having seen action in the undercard of one of Manny Pacquiao?s fights in the US.
