IT’S judgement day for Cebu-based WBO Oriental featherweight champion Neil John Tabanao (13W-1L,9KOs) as he battles WBO Africa featherweight title holder Isaac Dogboe (14W-0L,9KO’s) of Ghana today at the Police Officer’s Social and Fitness Centre in Accra, Ghana.
Both Tabanao, a native of Panabo City, Davao del Norte, and Dogboe tipped the scales at 124.8 pounds in yesterday’s weigh-in. The two will fight for the vacant WBC Youth world featherweight, WBO Africa featherweight and the WBO Asia Pacific featherweight titles.
Apart from three titles at stake, the two boxers will also fight for the chance to climb up in the rankings of the WBO’s featherweight division where Dogboe is currently at number 12 spot, while Tabanao is at 15th place.
Oscar Valdez of Mexico is the current champion in the division.
“Basta moduwa gani ta sa lain lugar kinahanglan knockout jud atong pagdaog kay kung decision lang lisod kaayo (When we fight abroad, we really have to get a knockout win because it very hard to win by decision),” said Tabanao’s trainer Brix Flores of Florex Boxing Gym here in Cebu.