Failing to complete a deal with the managers of World Boxing Organization (WBO) champions Daniel Ponce de Leon and Jhonny Gonzales, SGG Sports Promotions and its US counterpart, Golden Boy Promotions, have decided to reset the World Cup of Boxing featuring top fighters from the Philippines and Mexico.
The multi-million spectacle was originally scheduled March 4, but international promoter Sammy Gello-ani said they are resetting the card sometime in May or June because of some hitches in their negotiations with the Mexican camps.
“We have decided to move the Boxing World Cup to the middle of this year,” said Gello-ani yesterday.
“Unable to reach an agreement with the managers of WBO champions (Daniel) Ponce de Leon and Jhonny Gonzales in time for the March 4 schedule, we have decided, together with Golden Boy Promotions, to postpone the World Cup.”
In a related development, the mandatory WBO super flyweight title showdown between defending champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico and Cebuano challenger Z “The Dream” Gorres will push through at an earlier date on Feb. 24 in Cebu City.
Gello-ani assured that the World Cup will still be held in the Philippines.
He also said that international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz will negotiate elimination fights for Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista against WBO No. 2 super bantamweight contender Sergio Medina and Gerry Pe?alosa against WBO ranked No.1 bantamweight Irene Pacheco.
The winners of the elimination bouts will be named mandatory challengers for De Leon and Gonzales, respectively. — Freeman News Service
