*story courtesy Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines – With the Philippines beginning to open further after two crippling years of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, boxer Lito Dante is one of those eager to reclaim his old life and, well, battle for a championship.
On Sunday, Dante (18-11-4) will fight Cebuano pugilist Clyde Azarcon for the WBF International minimumweight championship at the Elorde Sports Complex in Sucat, Parañaque.
The bout against Azarcon will be Dante’s second of the year after the 32-year-old Bohol native knocked out Ryan Ralozo last April 30. Because of the quick win, Dante did not sustain any serious injuries that allows him to fight four months later.
“Matagal-tagal din tayo walang laban,” smiled Dante. “Kaya naghahabol din.”
Dante, who now calls Valenzuela home, also has a dual purpose in needing to win this fight.
“Kung pagpalain tayo at manalo sa laban na ito, makakabalik ako sa world rankings,” explained the man nicknamed “Naruto.”
His inactivity during the global lockdown saw him unable to defend Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation minimumweight title that he won in 2019.
“Excited ako sa laban na ito at makabawi, enthused Dante who has been training under the watchful eye of Florence Ferrer, former national team boxer, Southeast Games medalist, and known for training the first ever Filipina world boxing champion in Gretchen Abaniel.
He won’t find it easy against Azarcon, who is five years his junior and has a better overall record at 17-4-1. Furthermore, he is taller and has a slightly longer reach.
Azarcon, though, is coming off a loss to John Paul Gabunilas last March 19.
“Ang masasabi ko lang is pagbubutihin ko ang pag-ensayo at sa pagdating ng laban sa Agosto,” summed up Dante.
Dante will be co-headlining the August 7 event along with former Olympian Charly Suarez (11-0), who will defend his WBA Asia super featherweight belt against Marjohn Yap (30-16). Meanwhile, Allan Villanueva (11-2) and Al Toyogon (12-6-1) slug it out for the vacant WBF Asia Pacific lightweight championship.
VSP PRO 10 boxers being part of history and putting ink on their fight posters.
Who knows who will be the next Vietnam champion - maybe he is in this photo even !
Don't forget - next event is Saturday December 23rd and it will be the biggest show of the year, si don't miss it!
And if you want to fight in 2024 - we want to hear from you. Just click the link below :
#vietnamboxingorganization #vspboxing #Webthethao #vsppro #quickom #boxingvietnam #VSPPromotions #vbo
When you're talking boxing, you're talking tough and Mexican in the same breath !
So Vietnam's Tran Van Thao aka "the Trigger", despite a ring absence of more than a year, wasn't looking for anything easy when he chose Mexican Kenbun Torres as his opponent.
As you can see, both boys were SHREDDED and turned up in DEMON shape at the weigh-in, and this fight lived up to all the hype.
Great job boys !
Tran Van Thao will be back in the ring in January, on a huge card that will include Genesis Servania and another top
Philippines boxer (soon to be announced) at the Paradise City in Incheon Korea.
Vietnam
will like have another representative in the form of the "Hanoi Hitman" Nguyễn Văn Hải, and also a recent visitor from Botswana
Moabi Ngaka is rumoured for possible inclusion.
Watch the full fight here : https://youtu.be/JFyFGS8juow?si=kBNMrmYQVIKIMjMW
