They say Suarez is "running" on old legs!
Tomjune Mangubat is prepared to take the former amateur star 12 rounds if he has to, but confidently predicts :
THIS FIGHT WILL NOT GO THE DISTANCE !
TOMJUNE MANGUBAT v CHARLY SUAREZ
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
WBA ASIA TITLE
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT LIVE AT: https://www.facebook.com/VSPPromotion
Outstanding young prospects Tomjune Mangubat and Carlo Bacaro are promising to storm the fortress of Manila and take home all the spoils of victory. They say by the time they are done - there will be nothing left, especially for SEA Games hero Charly "King's Warrior " Suarez !
The Cebu based pair are trained at Omega Gym, and are under the expert tutelage of head coach Julius Erving Junco. Word on the street is that they have been training the house down, and are confident to make headlines at TIGER 2O22 next month in Paranaque.
Tomjune Mangubat has not only an imposing physique, he boasts a resume to match!.
He takes on the Philippines' best boxer Charly Suarez for the WBA Asia title, and the mood in camp is that the former Olympian's reputation will count for nothing once the opening bell sounds. The Omega team are on track for a devastating victory, feeling Suarez lacks the power and legs to go to war for 12 rounds. They also are strongly committed to chasing the knockout if the former amateur champ shows any sign of weakness. And with three imposing stoppages in his most recent bouts, the confidence of Team Mangubat looks well founded.
Carlo Bacaro is definitely one of the hottest prospects in the country, and all eyes will be on this unbeaten young star when he takes on the ultra experienced Jimmy Borbon.
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT LIVE AT: https://www.facebook.com/VSPPromotion
Perhaps the most intriguing of the early bouts at TIGER 2022, is the matchup between Jonathon Almacen and the long absent John Paul Bentoso. The bout takes place at junior flyweight, and whilst it poses many unknowns, none is more baffling than "where the hell has John Paul Bentoso been since 2017?? "
Well, it appears that he has now been found, and Jonathon Almacen will be probing for answers!
Jonathon Almacen is an excellent young prospect, born and bred in Manila. This 22 year old orthodox debuted in 2016, where he had an unfortunate technical draw with an excellent emerging boxer named Enrique Magsalin. The trend for quality opponents was repeated, and the improving Alamcen won his next four fights before narrow losses to unbeaten pinoys Jayson Vayson and ArAr Andales. In spite of the losses, Almacen was showing lots of upside, and he quickly regrouped to win the WBC silver title in China over the highly rated Xiang Le. This popular boxer was doing it in style, and earned the moniker “Pretty Boy” (or maybe it was his looks????) His most recent win in 2019 was perhaps his best so far, when he literally shutout Roldan Sasan, a boxer that had only been previously beaten once in 10 fights.
“Pretty Boy” Almacen resumes as a very young fighter on the up and up. This boxer has already amassed 7 wins, he has fast hands, good skills, and shows plenty of variety in his opening attacks. He has been sparring quality partners in preparation for TIGER 2022, so it’s accurate to say that he is a “known” quantity.
But what of his opponent John Paul Bentoso, and how do we make any prediction on this bout????
John Paul Bentoso has been on the missing persons list since 2017!
“The Ghost” Bentoso showed huge potential from the time he was a kid. A regular fixture at national youth championships, Bentoso routinely figured in the medals. In 2014, he won the national championship, defeating the outstanding boxer Robert Paradero, who has subsequently racked up 18 wins as a professional. In 2016, Bentoso was ousted in the semi finals by the barest of margins, falling to a split decision at the hands of another future star named Carlo Paalam.
So “the Ghost” turns pro in 2017, and he looks born to the game! The fast handed southpaw fighter wins 3 bouts in quick succession, all of them by lethal stoppage. His most recent outing was in September of 2017, where he was responsible for a violent beat down of Bonjun Loperez, a far more experienced pro boasting 10 wins. The experience counted for zilch, and it was all over in round two.
And that was it, John Paul Bentos disappeared off the face of the planet, thus becoming “the Ghost”, but in no way diminishing his reputation or aura.
The great news is that Bentoso is back, yet none of us are any the wiser as to what version we will see on March 12th against Jonathon Almacen, who no doubt, will get to the bottom of that mystery!
JONATHON ALMACEN v JOHN PAUL BENTOSO
TIGER 2022 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT LIVE AT: https://www.facebook.com/VSPPromotion/
Arnel Baconaje and team working out this morning at Elorde Southbox, in preparation for TIGER 2O22 coming to Manila on Saturday March 12th.
Be ready!
Doesn't get any bigger locally than this!
Philippines best versus Philippines best up and coming - three times SEA Games gold medal winner Charly Suarez takes on the giant killing Tomjune Mangubat of Omega Cebu.
CHARLY SUAREZ v TOMJUNE MANGUBAT WBA ASIA TITLE
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT LIVE AT: https://www.facebook.com/VSPPromotion/
Mindanao fighter Aisah Alico returns to the ring for the first time since early 2019. This southpaw from CDO is an experienced and internationally travelled war monger, and has some of the best fighters in the minimumweight division on her resume. She makes her return here as a flyweight, and despite being able to easily attain the lighter weight class, she comes to TIGER 2022 at the identical height of opponent Linn Sandstrom.
“D’Striker “ is perfectly monikered as she has really good hands, and she does create awkward angles from her southpaw stance. Ring rust may play a big part here for Alico, as her opponent has the advantage of recent competition. But for sure, experience is the trump card for Aisah, having shared the ring with top names like Yuko Kuroki, Momo Koseki, Ayaka Miyao and Philippines’ Jess Pagaduan.
The lack of recent form makes this match up tricky to pick, but it must be said, the CDO based Alico has defeated more experienced girls than Sandstrom in her 7 previous wins. She has also stopped 5 opponents along the way. Hmmmmm!
One thing is for certain though, it is great to have women’s boxing finally back in action once more!
GO GIRLS!!!
The opening men’s bout at TIGER 2022 will almost certain to set the benchmark for fast hands and feet!
A minimumweight clash over 4 rounds between young resuming boxers Malfred Majadas and John Jayvee Antonio, and both boxers have speed to burn!
The “Mad Dog” Malfred Majadas is based in Paranaque, and made his pro debut back in March of 2018, when he defeated Rosenido Autida by majority decision. He was able to maintain a busy schedule, which is great for any aspiring young fighter, winning 3 of his 4 bouts to date. This activity was punctuated by the pandemic, and sadly, we haven’t seen this promising prospect since early 2019.
So what do we know about Majadas? Well, he is relatively tall orthodox fighter. He uses distance quite well, and he has a patient conservative style. He is not a silly risk taker, and he selects his shots. His main attribute has also been constant improvement, and his most recent win against Francisco Morales, was emphatic enough to earn a unanimous decision.
John Jayvee Antonio shapes up as an interesting counter argument to the Mad Dog. This Manila based orthodox has also been absent since early 2019, and has a lesser record at face value of 1 win from 4 outings. But you only need to delve a little deeper to see that Antonio has had the far harder opponents, and his most recent points loss was to Alexander Almacen, a winner of his only 3 bouts.
Antonio is certainly a bit of a dark horse in this bout, but he boxes well, and has some variety in his first attacks which may pose issues for Majadas. He possesses a nice lead left hook, and he also throws his shots with a little more venom than the more amateur styled Mad Dog.
This is a really interesting bout, where both boxers resume from a long break, so there is plenty of guesswork. The “mad Dog” Majadas will be a warm favourite, but styles make fights, and expect Antonio to give him lots to contend with in this opening match.
MALFRED MAJADAS v JOHN JAYVEE ANTONIO
TIGER 2022 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT LIVE AT: https://www.facebook.com/VSPPromotion
Popular Elorde fighter Ali Cañega scored an impressive stoppage win at Ilocos Sur on Saturday. In what was his first appearance since a close tussle with Richard Morales in September last year, Cañega started well, and dominated the action from the opening bell. The man known known as "Carnage " dropped opponent Menard Abila four times in the opening round before the referee called time.
The stoppage victory pushes the unbeaten Cañega to 4 wins in the professional ranks, 3 coming by way of Knockout
2021 was a regrettable year of gym closures, lockdowns, and quarantine bubbles. That not only made putting on an event extremely expensive and difficult, it made including women near impossible.
But all good things come to those who wait, and finally next month, TIGER 2022 sees Linn Sandstrom (1 win) of Australia (by way of Sweden), take on Mindanao’s Aisah Alico (7 wins).
Despite the relative inexperience of Sandstrom , she is on a fast track to learn, and has an interesting back story.
The Brazilian-born fighter was raised in Sweden, where she fell in love with table tennis, and went on to represent her country in the sport.
“Everyone back in Sweden knew me as the girl who played table tennis”
“It is (quite a leap to go from table tennis to boxing), but I’ve been an athlete my whole life so that athlete lifestyle is what I love.”
Sandstrom moved to Australia five years ago and got serious with her ambition to become a pro boxer. While there were skills she picked up in table tennis that came in handy — like hand-eye coordination and footwork — the fight game has one major difference.
“A lot of things are similar except you don’t get punched in the face when you do table tennis,” she said.
Sandstrom will fight Aisah Alico, a southpaw from Cagayan de Oro, before venturing to the States and central America to get some quality sparring. Her ambition is to string some wins together in 2022, and perhaps challenge some bigger names as the gloves start to feel as comfortable as the table tennis racket!
“I’ve had people that really, really want to see me fail. I’m a female that, I’m not just there to say I’m going to do things, I’m here to put in the work and that seems to irritate a lot of people.
“I’m doing me, this is my journey. I’m here to stay now, I’m here to prove a point.”
LINN SANDSTROM v AISAH ALICO
TIGER 2022 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT LIVE AT: https://www.facebook.com/VSPPromotion/
This is peak Lomachenko !
So knowing that, it's scary how much Suarez has improved since this match, and you will get to witness that first hand when he meets Tomjune Mangubat for the WBA title next month.
Charly Suarez is now 9 and 0 in the pro ranks, and is yet to drop a round!
Interesting footnote to this match with Lomachenko:
Suarez was unable to take part in the bout, as he had suffered a shoulder injury, making it almost impossible to raise his arm. He had also been contesting lighter weight classes. He was told he MUST fight, so he obliged, and decided to just do his best. After this bout with Lomachenko, Suarez required blood platelet injections and constant physiotherapy for the damaged joint, keeping him out of the ring for almost two years. He regrouped, and became the Philippines most esteemed amateur, winning countless international tournaments, including 3 SEA Games gold medals.
CHARLY SUAREZ v TOMJUNE MANGUBAT
WBA ASIA TITLE
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT LIVE AT: https://www.facebook.com/VSPPromotion/
Jules Victoriano put on an exemplary boxing performance against a spirited Dave Barlas last night.
Victoriano used his height and reach advantage to perfection, and despite some lunging attacks from Barlas, he was able to enforce an impressive stoppage.
The Elorde boxer, originally from Iloilo, moves to 11 career wins, 8 by way of KO.
Amongst a collection of quality fighters at next month's TIGER 2O22 , the resilient and versatile Pablito Canada Jr. stands tall.
A winner of 7 matches, what has defined his career so far are the resume of opponents he has encountered on his path. The conclusion to be drawn is, Pablito Canada is only chosen for the very most dangerous assignments that other agents ( I mean boxers!) feverishly avoid !
Canada's last win was in late 2019, against Jetro Pabustan, a winner of 30 bouts, and a former WBO world title challenger.
Since then, he has taken on the unbeaten Japanese Ryosuke Nishida in Japan.
Then came Philippines' best boxer, the unbeaten Charly Suarez, and at the heavier class of super featherweight!
And to top that off, he then locked horns with perhaps the Philippines most deadly in KO King JonJon Estrada ! THE WOLVERINE !! Ughhh!
Pablito Canada has fought many of the division's best both locally and overseas, and it is no great surprise that his next opponent is no lesser name!
PABLITO CANADA v RICHARD PUMICPIC
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT HERE LIVE
TIGER 2022 plays host to an array of top name fighters, but without doubt, one of the best match ups is Olivetti’s Remon Basas taking on Jason Buenaobra.
These two boxers could not be any more different in style, yet both are on an upward trajectory. Perhaps the only form line that unites them, is a common opponent in the form of the very talented Lorenz Ladrada.
Remon “Bad Bad” Basas showed promising signs in his first bout of 2021, losing a points battle to Ladrada. Whilst beaten on timing and speed, he showed lots of come forward, and even late into the final round, he still loomed dangerously. He followed up that effort with an excellent win over a vastly improved Marklin Itim, a super close affair that was underscored by a massive punch count for both fighters. But it was the accuracy and shot selection of Basas that swayed the judges, and it was definitely a great showing by the Olivetti boxer.
Jason Buenaobra resumed from a long lay off, and took on Ladrada last December. Showing no signs of rust, “Manefisto” showed beautiful ring control from the southpaw stance, and dominated his opponent for much of the fight. The points loss doesn’t tell the whole story though, as he fought a better version of “Cerberus” Ladrada than Basas did, and he also enjoyed lots of great moments. That fight was also at featherweight, and no doubt, the move to super bantam will really assist his cause.
This one plays out as a total war!
Yes, Jason Buenaobra is the more experienced and technical boxer. But Basas is strong, and he also owns a swarming style that gives rivals no peace, and he will be looking to make this a very dogged, physical contest.
Can he solve the Buenaobra southpaw puzzle? Let’s see, but “Bad Bad” Basas definitely has plans to make life extremely uncomfortable for his classy opponent!
REMON BASAS v JASON BUENAOBRA
TIGER 2022 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT LIVE AT: www.facebook.com/VSPPromotion/
Young, tall and stylish ! And then some! That's top prospect Jestine Ace Tesoro, a rangy 22 year old who has shown beautiful amateur touches in his five pro wins to date.
Last December, the game Tesoro dived into the very deep end of the pool, taking on the far more experienced and very lethal JonJon Estrada. In a cracking action bout, Tesoro worked a beautiful jab, and even gifted the Wolverine a new pair of "wobbly boots" for his efforts! So of course, we wanted to see more!
Jestine Ace Tesoro returns this March to take on an abundantly skilled "Pride of Palawan " Lorence Rosas. This will be a chess match for sure, as Rosas shoots from unconventional southpaw angles. At almost 5 feet and 9 inches, Tesoro has a significant reach advantage, but Rosas is superb at solving height puzzles. It is worth noting, Rosas gave top prospect Virgel Vitor headaches in their recent clash, despite the significant height and weight advantage of his opponent.
Equal measures of strategic warfare here!
JESTINE ACE TESORO v LORENCE ROSAS
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
When they met in July last year, we had the makings of an epic and intriguing battle.
Roberto Gonzales, a winner of 28 bouts, and one of the Philippines most avoided fighters, looking to get ring time after an extended break.
And Jino Rodrigo, a bona-fide MADMAN, afraid of nothing, and looking for big challenges to make himself a name.
The result?
Exquisite violence !
Rodrigo and Gonzales performing a skilful and brutal dance that MUST be seen again !
Gonzales says he will be far better prepared this time, and Rodrigo, who has been sparring the likes of Joe Noynay says simply, "I'm improved!"
This is bound to be a beautiful and horrific theatre experience in the one viewing!
JINO RODRIGO v ROBERTO GONZALES
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
When it comes to skills and experience, look no further than outstanding super bantam Giovanni Escaner, who resumes at TIGER 2O22 next month. A winner of 20 bouts, national titles, and interim regional belts, Escaner has all the tools to be both boss and teacher!
So who better for young boxing prodigy Carl Jammes Martin to work with yesterday than the "Little Giant" himself!
Wonder Boy is on a fast track to learn as much as possible from top locals like Escaner before he heads overseas. Until then, he has important business at hand, tackling Ronnie Baldonado for the WBA Asia title.
Giovanni Escaner will make his first appearance since 2019, and meets Albert Alcoy, a winner of 15 fights.
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
Arnel Baconaje is without doubt one of the Philippines' best and most technical boxers.
He is also one of the most difficult to match!
"The Silencer" is a very skillful and solidly built 130, with a big KO ratio, and unfortunately, had three opponents drop out en route to TIGER 2O22.
Enter saviour Leonardo Doronio !
The internationally experienced, and former Manny Pacquiao sparring partner, resumed from a lay off in December, and produced a really solid win against Jimmy Borbon at 140 super lightweight. Doronio looked "heavy" in that match, and despite his strong showing against an improved Borbon, gave the appearance that a drop in weight class would really suit.
So when the call went out for a quality opponent for the much ducked Baconaje, Leonardo Doronio was quick to answer. But how to make a fight happen between fighters two divisions apart?
Simple - let's meet in the middle !
ARNEL BACONAJE v LEONARDO DORONIO
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
OK fight fans, here are three of the very best athletes that will be appearing at the upcoming TIGER 2O22 next month.
Arnel Baconaje, Jonathan Almacen and Benny Ligas pictured after yesterday morning's workout, and already looking ready for battle!
Baconaje is one of Philippines elite, and returns to the ring to match up with last start winner, and former Pacquiao sparring partner, Leonardo Doronio.
Jonathan Almacen is a quicksilver light flyweight, and has a much anticipated (and dangerous ) clash looming with the unbeaten John Paul Bentoso, a young killer who has posted all his wins by way of knockout !
Ben Ligas is all set to defend his Philippines national title, and the word is, he is training the house down!
Good luck boys, we know you will put on a great show!
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
Behind the scenes of TIGER 2O22, and in the early hours of Saturday morning (while the rest of us sleep !) rest assured, the stars are hard at work !
Giovanni Escaner, Malfred Majadas, Lorence Rosas and Jason Buenaobra were put through their paces in a darkened Manila, and are set to create some sunshine this coming March !
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
Please note changes:
Jerven Mama withdrew last night due to an ear injury. He has been replaced by the GAB approved boxer Roland Biendima from General Santos City. Biendima is a winner of 15 bouts, and recently fought a points battle with champion Jade Bornea.
We have also added (finally !) a women's bout, where Linn Sandstrom from Australia (by way of Sweden !) takes on Aisah Alico in a flyweight contest.
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
Palawan beach boy Lorence Rosas has arrived in Manila, and is already busy in camp for next month's TIGER 2022.
The x-factor southpaw, labeled the "Pride of Palawan", last fought in December against a much bigger Virgel Vitor, and there was plenty to like about his performance.
Rosas will drop to 126 to take on the promising Jestine Ace Tesoro, a winner of 5 bouts. This is a great featherweight match up, and it will be interesting to see how Tesoro's height and skills fare against the unpredictable southpaw style of Rosas.
LORENCE ROSAS v JESTINE ACE TESORO
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
Michael Dasmarinas has been boxing from the time he was a kid, and since turning professional at the age of 19, has amassed an incredible 30 wins, many at the highest level (20KO). The champ, known as Hot ‘N Spicy, is rightfully regarded as one of the Philippines’ marquee boxing talents, and in 2021 he shared the ring with perhaps the greatest pound for pound fighter on the planet, Naoya “the Monster” Inoue for a world title shot.
The outstanding 29 year old fighter returned to the ring in Manila last December, where he took on the rugged Ernie Saulong. The match was meant to be “stay in shape” bout for Dasmarinas, as he awaited another big international match, however things (as are often the case in boxing!) didn’t go to plan!!
The combatants Dasmarinas and Saulong clashed heads early in the fight, forcing Saulong to retire prior to round four courtesy of an accidental head butt. The match was deemed a NO CONTEST! Ughhh!
Never one to dwell on misfortune, the champion Dasmarinas is back next month for TIGER 2022. And in the best traditions of the tiger, expect to see this pinoy boxing great full of renewed zest and energy for all the challenges of the new and great year!
MICHAEL DASMARINAS v DANNY TAMPIPI
TIGER 2022 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT HER LIVE !!!
Nguyen Van Hai was pulled from his TIGER 2022 bout with mad dog Jino Rodrigo. At the time, it was expected that he undertake 10 days quarantine. Too long! Philippines' loss is Vietnam's gain, and the Hanoi fighter returns to the ring March 26 in HCMC. The comeback marks more than two years since Nguyen Van Hai and Charly Suarez locked horns at Hoan Kiem Lake back in October 2019.
Mindanao lays claims to being the most prolific breeding ground of talented boxers anywhere on planet Earth ! And this compelling truth is reinforced with the knowledge that four of the six main event fighters are from the warrior isle! Charly Suarez and Ronnie Baldonado hold key roles in both WBA titles at TIGER 2022, and despite facing stiff opposition, and will be out to show that very definitely, DAVAO DOES IT BETTER! Suarez sees a victory over Tomjune Mangubat as a catalyst to his world title aspirations, and is set to deliver a career best performance.
Ronnie Baldonado has already been dismissed as an underdog against the unbeaten Carl Jammes Martin, but he holds no regard for the peanut gallery. Jhong Jhong will be a revelation at the new weight of 122, and has no doubts that Wonder Boy will be in a world of trouble come fight time!
ps those who said Baldonado is too small, compare him to 130 pound Charly Suarez and do a rethink!
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT HERE LIVE !!!
Ronnie Baldonado claims that the Wonder Boy has had it easy in his unbeaten run, and has been given way too much respect from previous rivals. Baldonado, who has not fought since 2019, has been working hard on skills, strength and conditioning in the down time, and promises a more physical athlete in his return bout. Now 25, the former bantam has really developed solid muscle in the gym, and is convinced that 122 pounds is his new home! Those that have seen the recent efforts of "Jong Jong " are true believers also, saying that he is far more energetic and lethal at the new weight.
Baldonado is so confident, he wanted a big match at super bantam, and surely there is none bigger out there right now, than a WBA Asia title shot against boxing prodigy Carl Jammes Martin !
BALDONADO v CARL JAMMES MARTIN
WBA Asia Super bantamweight title
TIGER 2O22 Ultimate Knockout Challenge
Paranaque, Manila
Saturday March 12th
WATCH IT HERE LIVE !!!
