Dubai ? The searing desert heat is expected to creep inside the ring Friday night (early Saturday morning in Manila) as the trio of top-flight Filipino fighters deal with respective Hispanic foes in another classic Philippines vs Mexico rivalry at the Dubai World Trade Center.
Genesis Servania, King Arthur Villanueva and Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista, imported here by ALA Boxing and giant TV network ABS-CBN for the most ambitious show dubbed Pinoy Pride 27, are all ready to rumble especially after they all made the weight Thursday.
Servania came in at 121.4 lbs. while Jose Cabrera of Mexico tipped in at the super-bantam limit of 122 during the weighin at Rocky?s Bar.
Bautista, hot on the comeback trail, came in at 129 lbs, but his Mexican rival, Juan Jose Martinez had to shed off excess baggage after coming in at 131, a lb over the limit for their super-feather encounter.
In an equally-important matchup at super-fly, Villanueva weighed in at 114.6, while Nicaraguan Henry Maldonado was overweight at 115.8 but who would later get rid off the excess.
The Filipino punchers arrived here over the weekend and was met with 40-plus Celsius degree weather, unheard of even during the cruelest summer months back home.
But Bautista, the most celebrated among the Filipino boxers , assured everyone that it will be even hotter on top of the ring.
?Sobrang init dito pero mas mainit ang aksyon sa ibabaw ng ring sa laban,? said Bautista.
Three other fights are on tap but the focus will be on Servania, Bautista and Villanueva.
