Pinay pug to face Japanese contender for WBC Asian crown

DAVAO CITY – Filipina boxer Norj Guro of Iligan City is fighting Japanese Umi Ishikawa for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian Boxing Council Continental minimumweight crown on March 10 at San Pedro Plaza in San Pablo, Laguna.

Guro (9W-7L-1D, 4 KOs) of RCJ Boxing Stable of Iligan City will fly to Manila on March 8 along with manager Raffy Jimenez and trainers Arnold Palafox and Jaypee Delima.

“Maganda ang kundisyon ko na ngayon,” said the 27year-old Guro, who won her last two fights last year.

Guro scored a unanimous decision against Joan Ambalong in a 6rounder bout on July 9 at Barangay San Jose, Aurora.

Her next victim was Marichu Semillano, also by a UD in a 4rounder match at the Iligan City public plaza on September 30.

Ishikawa, on the other hand, is toting five wins with three knockouts and only one loss.

The 33-year-old Ishikawa, however, suffered her only setback during her previous outing against Yumiko Shimooka by a unanimous decision last December 11 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

Ishikawa of United Boxing Stable from Tokyo stopped another Filipina Aisah Alico in Round 2 of their 6rounder match held June 27 at the Makati Cinema Square Boxing Arena in Makati City.

“Nakita ko ang laban nila at may pagka-fighter si Ishikawa (I saw their fight and Ishiwaka is a fighter),” said Guro. “Pero handa na po akong lumaban sa kanya (But I am ready to fight her),” she added.

The Guro-Ishikawa title fight will be supervised by Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra.

The boxing card is dubbed as “Born to Fight Championship” and promoted by Ronald Nico Rojas. PNA