International promoter Sammy Gello-ani will open 2006 with a double championship match on Jan. 15 at Gaisano Country Mall.
SGG fighters Dondon Sultan and Federico Catubay will headline the free-to-the-public Sinulog Boxing event.
Commitment
“It is our commitment and we will continue to keep our commitment with this free-to-the-public boxing event,” Gello-ani said.
Sultan will defend his national welterweight belt against Cesar Yarte, while Catubay will put his flyweight title against No.5 ranked Louie Bantigue. ALA Boys Robert Allanic, Donnie Nietes, Rey Caitom and AJ Banal will be in the supporting events that are scheduled for six rounds each. Their opponents are yet to be announced.
This will be Sultan’s third title defense for the title he won against the same boxer in November 2002 in Surigao City.
Sultan was losing on points when he connected with a well-timed uppercut in the final round that floored Yarte for good.
Ironically, it was Sultan who collapsed after being declared the winner, due to exhaustion, while Yarte seemed very fresh after being counted out.
Catubay will make his first defense after scoring a majority-decision win over veteran Jerry Pahayahay last year.
Split decision
Fresh off a frustrating split-decision defeat to Noriyuki Komatsu in their OPBF 112-pound division championship fight, Catubay hopes he could take another shot at the regional belt as he goes up against the skilled Bantigue.
Bantigue, of the Rex “Wakee” Salud Stable, holds an 8-1-3 win-loss-draw, including 3 KO wins. Catubay carries a 16-10-3 ring slate with 11 KOs.
The ALA Boys, on the other hand, are aiming for a better position in the RP ratings.
