Mark John Yap and Charly Suarez stole the show with top echelon performances in the WBA Asia title match in Parañaque yesterday. Yap looked in outstanding shape at the weigh-in, and that aesthetic translated to a phenomenal ring performance.
VSP are a huge fan of the CDO boxer, but it must be said, he turned on what was likely a career best display against a career best opponent.
Yap trained in the altitude of Baguio for yesterday's battle, and the strength and endurance gained in that camp had him asking questions of champion Suarez right till the end.
"The Journeyman" threw an array of quality punches at the former Olympian, and if you weren't watching closely, take note. Jabs of different speed and trajectory, and by altering his front foot, constantly probing for different angles to find a way in. He threw lead hooks, high and low, often forcing Suarez onto the back foot to cover up. But it was probably the combinations he created off lead uppercuts that were his most impressive work, and the comments heard from the knowledgeable section of the crowd were unanimous.
"If that's any other guy, other than Suarez, that guy is getting knocked out !"
Mark John Yap put on an awe inspiring display of skills and bravery that won plenty of new fans. He showed the pedigree of a multiple title winner who has fought the very best in his 30 match winning career.
And for Charly Suarez, what can be said?
His sublime shut out offering actually reflects more upon his extraordinary gifts than the effort produced by his rival.
Speed, power, shot selection, distance, and execution were just really pinpoint. His template for war games is just so concise, it will take something extraordinary to halt his rapid advance up the world rankings.
Manny Pacquiao was a phenomenon, an indomitable blend of speed and power, a freak of nature, the likes of which we will likely never see again.
But if there has EVER been a better "boxer" produced in the Philippines than Charly Suarez in the last 50 years, I can hand on heart say, I have never seen it!
Bacolod's Genesis Servania will fight China's rising star Aketelieti Yelejian for the WBO Asia Lightweight title this November.
The highly-anticipated match up will take place on the undercard of the IBF world title fight between Pedro Taduran and Zhu DianXing at Jeju Island, South Korea.
Aketelieti Yelejian, who suffered a narrow loss to the Prince Albert Pagara in June, rebounded with an impressive IBF Asia victory against Korean Jin Su Kim in Vietnam recently. He is a very rangy and deceptive boxer known for his relaxed combinations, and he's supremely confident in his ability to take down Servania and claim the title.
"I've studied Servania's style, and I know I have the skills to outmaneuver him," Yelejian said yesterday.
"I'm excited to represent China on the international stage once more, and bring home an impressive win against a top and proven boxer like Genesis."
Servania, a seasoned veteran with a 35-4 record, boasts a reputation for toughness that has come from battles at the top level. And has still possesses some of the best body shots in the sport of boxing.
This important title shot gives the filipino the opportunity to re-establish himself on the world scene once more, and it's best remembered that his only defeats have came against world-ranked champions like Oscar Valdez and Andres Cortes.
But the China team have already confidently stated that Yelejian's youth, speed, height, and reach may all prove too much for the Filipino boxer.
Their optimism also exudes for the world title bout, where surprisingly, they are quite dismissive of Pedro Taduran's hopes of beating star Zhu DianXing. They actually rate their boxer so highly, they have predicted that the champion has no chance of retaining the belt.
These claims set up an intriguing backdrop for two massive Philippines v China feature bouts.
Fight Details :
- Date: Saturday, November 23rd
- Location: Jeju Island, South Korea
- Title: WBO Asia Lightweight
- Contenders: Aketelieti Yelejian (China) vs. Genesis Servania (Philippines)
