EXPECT all-out action tonight in the “Pinoy Pride 4 – Philippines vs. World” boxing show at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino after some of the protagonists got a wee bit excited and got into a shoving contest during yesterday’s weigh-in.
Japanese brawler Kenichi Yamaguchi (16-1-2, 4 KOs) and Filipino Marjohn Yap (14-5, 7 KOs) were the first two boxers to tip the scales at the SM City Cebu. Yamaguchi, who had the words “Japan never give up” written on his chest, and Yap almost ended up trading fists after a heated stare down. Yamaguchi and Yap will be in an eight-round fight.
The heated weigh-in escalated as unbeaten Chinese-Canadian Steve Clagget (11-0, 6 KOs) and Romeo Jakosalem (11-4-1, 5 KOs), who are fighting also in the undercard, shoved each other and traded taunts while AJ “Bazooka” Banal (23-1-1, 18 KOs) shoved Francis Miyesyusho (29-8-2, 17 KOs), who retaliated by pointing at his ripped biceps, after an intense faceoff.
The main event guys were more civil.
Melindo and Vega are saving their strength for their bout tonight, where both boxers plan to knock each other out.
“This Saturday Melindo, I will knock you out in the fifth round,” the 33-year-old Mexican veteran said.
Melindo was calm and cool and told Sun.Star Cebu, “The problem is if he could reach the fifth.”
The 22-year-old Banal believes he will beat Miyeyusho and retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific bantamweight crown.
“I’ll take it slow and study his style,” said Banal. “He has the height advantage. So I’ll come in.”
The 31-year-old Tanzanian has other thoughts.
“I’ll knock him out in six rounds and take his belt. I’m better than (Mbwana) Matumla,” he said.
Banal knocked out Tanzanian Matumla, who owns two victories over Miyeyusho, in just two rounds. Banal was awarded yesterday by WBO’s Leon Panoncillo for WBO Asia-Pacific “Fight of the Year” for his bout with Big Yoo last year in Bohol.
Also included in the undercard is Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes (28-6-2, 18 KOs), who is facing Indonesian Gemmy Gobel (16-12-5, 12 KOs).
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