Bogo's pride Noynay to defend WBO title before hometown fans
World-class boxing show returns to the city of Bogo north of Cebu with its hometown pride Joe Marie 'Jaw Breaker' Noynay at the centerpiece of attraction.
Noynay, who hails from Barangay Nailon, will make the first defense of his WBO Asia-Pacific Youth super featherweight belt against Mexican challenger Hector “Guadana” Garcia in the main event of the 'For Honor and Pride' fistic extravaganza on April 7 at the Don Celestino Martinez, Sr. Sports and Cultural Center.
The slambang show will be promoted by international boxing promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. of the Elorde International Promotions in partnership with Bogo LGU and the Cebu provincial government.
"We are proud and happy to have this world-class event in our city. I fervently hope this could help bring back the glory days of boxing and relit the interest of the Bogohanons in this sport that we were once famous of," said former Bogo Mayor Junnie Martinez, one of the primovers of the fightcard, during a press confer- ence yesterday at Rajah Park Hotel.
Martinez was with Cebu Provincial Sports Commission (CPSC) Executive Director Ramil P. Abing, Bogo Councilor Noel Seno, sports director Yoyong Almirante, and matchmaker Willie Flores.
Abing said they are very supportive of Bogo LGU in this particular endeavor because it is in line with their thrust on grassroots sports development. Before the pro bouts, a bunch of amateur fights have been lined up to entertain the spectators.
Noynay (13-2-1, 4KOs), meanwhile, won the vacant title via an 8th round technical decision against Jin Xiang Pan last December 16 at the Zhongshan Sports Arena in Zhongshan.
“I’m truly excited to be defending my crown infront of my fellow Bogohanons,” said Noynay, who also captured the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Silver super featherweight title in the same fight.
The 22-year old southpaw is also a former WBC ABCO Silver featherweight and WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council super bantamweight titleholder.
The 5-foot-8 Noynay snared the WBC ABCO Silver featherweight crown by knocking out Danilo Gabisay in the first round in 2016 at the Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañaque City.
Noynay also took the vacant WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council super bantamweight title via a unanimous decision against Edison Berwela in 2015 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.
Garcia, on the other hand, won his last fight by a unanimous decision over compatriot Carlos Octavio Guardado (3W-2L-1) last November 11 at the Auditorio Ernesto Rufo in Rosarito.
The 23-year old Garcia has 12 wins, with seven knockouts, against six losses and two draws.