Moment of truth beckons for Abne and Gabunilas
The day of reckoning beckons for regional champions April Jay “Astroboy” Abne (9-1, 5KOs) and John Paul “Angas ng Cebu” Gabunilas (7-1, 5KOs) as they battle against vaunted rivals in “Engkwentro 6” boxing card of ARQ Sports Promotions today (Sunday, August 7) at the Bonifacio Bacaltos Sports and Cultural Centrum in Sibonga town, south of Cebu.
In what is by far the toughest test of their budding careers, Abne, the reigning Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Silver flyweight champion, will lock up horns with the power-hitting Christian “Chiquito” Bacolod, while the OPBF Youth light flyweight crown-holder Gabunilas, will tackle the equally-dangerous Ruben Dadivas of Davao City.
Bacolod, a certified jaw-breaker who knocked out 10 of his 14 victims, is handled by the Las Vegas-based Morris East, a former world champ turned sought-after trainer.
Dadivas (8-1, 4KOs), on the other hand, is under the aegis of MP Stable of Filipino ring legend Manny Pacquiao.
“We know that it’s going to be a difficult battle ahead but we’re ready to rise above the challenge,” Abne declared.
In the other featured bouts, brothers Rodex and Bryx Piala will slug it out with Danny Tampipi and Ponciano Rimandiman, respectively, while Abne’s younger brother Ian Paul will trade blows with Charlie Malupangue.
The rest of the slambang show pits Berland Robles vs Ramil Antaran; Rodel Wenceslao vs Ernesto Cagampang, Bryan James Wild vs Mateo Handig;Ramel Macado Jr. vs Alvin Camigue; and Yerroge Gura vs Jeffrey Galero. —