Some of the best boxers from the southern part of the country will be seeing action in the ALA-Cobra Tunay Na Lakas fight card in Cagayan de Oro City on Nov. 23.
The fight card is free to the public and is organized by ALA Promotions in partnership with Cobra Energy Drink. The Cagayan de Oro City government headed by Mayor Oscar Moreno is also supporting the event.
Leading the list of contenders is ALA Boxing Gym’s featherweight prospect Jimmy “Popeye” Paypa, who will go up against Jovill “El Pancho” Marayan in the main event of the fight card.
Paypa, who holds a record of 14 wins (four knockouts) with two losses, is a native of Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte in Mindanao.
He will be fighting Marayan, a journeyman with a record of 8-14-3 (win-loss-draw) with three knockouts. Their fight is a 10-rounder under the featherweight division.
Paypa is currently on a 12-bout win streak. His recent victim was Jason Redondo, who he beat last Sept. 25 via unanimous decision in Balamban town, western Cebu.
Another ALA Boxing gym pug Albert Villacampa (15-6-1, 3 KOs) of Cebu City will exchange punches with Butuan City’s Roger Echavez (7-10-1, 4 KOs) in the co-main event of the fight card.
Both will be fighting under the 112-pound division.
ALA Boxing Gym’s amateur standout and the up-and-coming Vic “Vicious” Saludar (2-0, 2 KOs) will face Powell Balaba (7-9-1, 4 KOs) of Bohol for six rounds under the 109-pound division.
Lito Dante (6-3-3,3KOs) of Tagbilaran City, Bohol and Jovel Romasasa (10-11,4KOs) of General Santos City will provide action in the undercard bout for under the 126-pound division.
Home bets from Cagayan de Oro City will also be seeing action headed by Junuel Lacar, who will be fighting Paolo Peroño of General Santos City under the 126-pound division.
Another Kagay-anon boxer, Freddie Bisande, will go up against fellow CDO native Junjie Codella in the opening bout.