Professional boxing events are rare in Timor-Leste, so when the opportunity arose to fight in Vietnam, Manuel Exposto de Araujo grabbed it with both fists - so to speak !
This Sunday in Thảo Điền, de Araujo will make history as the first boxer from Timor-Leste to compete in Vietnam, appearing in the main bout at Trigger Promotion 6.
Undefeated with knockout power in both hands (2-0, 2 KO), the young fighter has vowed to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City all guns blazing.
Timor-Leste (East Timor) is a Southeast Asian nation occupying the eastern half of the island of Timor and is widely known as Asia’s newest country, having gained full independence in 2002. Now, the nation is also working to establish its presence in professional boxing.
De Araujo has received strong support from his homeland, proudly representing his country as a flag-bearing ambassador of the sport. His campaign has been backed by TELEMOR (telecommunications) and BORALA, LDA (construction and civil services), as he aims to become the first Timor-Leste boxer to win on Vietnamese soil
The rising star has also been supported by local law enforcement and was pictured this week alongside Henrique da Costa, Commissioner-General of Police of Timor-Leste.
Joining the delegation is trainer Thomas Americo Jr, whose father previously challenged for a world title. Americo Jr will also travel to Ho Chi Minh City this week in preparation for the bout.
Vietnam looks forward to welcoming the Timor-Leste team and applauds the commitment of the sponsors whose support has helped place their athletes on the international stage.
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)
