Elite boxers banner Murcia fisticuffs today

Five bouts between elite boxers and more than 20 preliminary amateur bouts will be featured this afternoon, December 7, at the Murcia Covered Court.

Dubbed as “Kamao ng Murcia: Tinabu-ay Elite Bouts”, the event is a joint promotion of the Municipality of Murcia headed by Mayor Gerry M. Rojas and the Nietes Boxing Promotion of Murcia’s pride, the four-division world boxing champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes who hails from the town.

“Out of the five elite bouts, three bouts will feature Murciahanon boxers. Our town’s fighters are Jordan Poson who will go up against Dante Montales of La Carlota City, Jade Rick Redondo who will fight Raul Ramirez of Kabankalan City, and, the main event, Jansen Pagapulan who will trade leather with Romil Bantillo of Bacolod City,” said boxing event coordinator Francisco “Bonbon” Herida.

The other two elite bouts will showcase Negrense boxers against aspiring pugilists from Panay Island. Rodrigo Sebua, Jr. of La Carlota City will face Gilbert Zamora of Laua-an, Antique, while Rodolfo Labang, Jr. of Don Salvador Benedicto squares off against Rowie Alagos of Laua-an, Antique.

Herida explained that elite boxers are fighters who are on the verge of turning professional after garnering sufficient experience and proving their mettles in the amateur circuit. Amateur boxers fight with headgears, but elite boxers fight without head gears. Unlike professionals, elite boxers wear shirts atop the ring, he added.

He cited Rodolfo Labang, Jr. who is set to sign with a Japanese boxing promoter which works in partnership with Nietes Boxing Promotions, while the other Murcia boxers are also in line for their professional debut under the guidance of Nietes Boxing Promotion.

Donnie Nietes, with his father Josue and his uncles, has consistently scouted, trained and helped promising local boxers, particularly from Murcia. The continuous partnership with the local government of Murcia in hosting boxing events is a testament to this commitment of Donnie Nietes, according to Herida.* (Butch Bacaoco)