It’s all set for Tuesday’s Highland Brawl 5 at the People’s Park where nine matches including three title fights for three Luzon Professional Boxing Association division are up for grabs.
Rex Wa-o tries to buck a long rest and shed off nearly 10 kilos for the superfeatherweight match against Dan Mamosa in the main event that will start at 11 AM.
“Apat na kilo pa,” said Wa-o, clad in a jogging suit, heavily perspiring after jogs, shadow boxing and work out at Brico Santig’s Highland Gym at Betag, La Trinidad, where the strawberry fields serve as a backdrop.
“Five kilos na ang natanggal,” said the Tadian, Mountain Province native with seven days to go into his fight at the heart of Baguio City.
Wa-o lost the five kilos (11 pounds) in 10 days as he vowed to meet the weight that saw him run around the field and municipal hall “overdressed” in black jogging suit under a sweltering late morning sun.
“Dapat lang magsikap siya para mawala niya ang excess weight,” said Santig, who is moving mountains to meet the required funding for the nearly P200,000 purses for the nine bout event co-organized with DMAD Promotions.
When sponsorship came in trickles for the boxing for a cause that will benefit hard hit, and still grieving, Itogon residents, Santig and youthful Miller Dep-ay of DMAD, will see Wa-o headline the event.
La Trinidad based Jelbirt Gomera and Romshane Sarguilla will challenge Jayson Nicart of Bacoor, Cavite and Mervin Lulu of Malabon, respectivele.
Gomera eyes the featherweight title, while Sarguilla the flyweight crown.
All are round bouts in the event co-presented by Naris Singwancha, Fightnews Asia and Ripples News.
La Trinidad based boxers are also slated to box in the supporting bouts with Rey Juntilla facing Batangas City’s Jeson Berwela in a superfeatherweight bout. MJ Oduna, originally of Kiangan, Ifugao is slated to meet Mark Jequinto of Zamboanga.
In the four rounders, Ador Torres, also of La Trinidad, will meet Indian Prabjot Singh in welterweight action. Mark Autida will go up against Muntinlupa pride Jhun Jhun Rimasog in a light flyweight thriller. Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya native is to face Tuba’s Chris Miguelwgile another Bayombong lad, Jhun Jhun Jimenez is set to face an opponent yet to be named.
Weigh in for the event backed by Philex Mining Corporation, Police Regional Office – Cordillera, lawyer Jose Molintas and La Trinidad mayor Romeo Salda will be at Highland gym on Monday.** PML
