Gumban stakes unbeaten record in ALA-Cobra Sinulog boxing

EIGHT action-packed fights will spice up the Sinulog revelry as the country’s up-and-coming boxers slug it out in the ALA-Cobra Tunay na Lakas Boxing in Sinulog slated tomorrow at the Gaisano Country Mall Parking Area in barangay Banilad, Cebu City.

The card’s main event will feature the unbeaten Melvin “Top Gun” Gumban of Escalante City, who will face Weljan Ugbaniel of Sarangani Province for the Philippine super flyweight crown.

“I prepared hard for this fight since after this, I am looking forward to fighting for an international title,” said Gumban, who has 18 wins with nine KOs, during yesterday’s press conference at Sugbahan Grill on A.S. Fortuna Street, Mandaue City.

Prepare hard was also what Ugbaniel did as he hopes to improve his 13W-2L-1D record.

“I trained for three months. This fight is very important for me since this will dictate the future of my career,” said Ugbaniel, who has four knockout wins under his belt.

Gumban is armed with a 50-percent knockout rate but it will take a lot of hard work to conquer an unfamiliar foe.

“I don’t know his style. If given the opportunity, I’ll definitely go for a knockout,” Gumban said.

Fighting in the undercard is Cebuano fighter Elmo “Bisdak” Traya (6W-1L-5KOs), a native of Tabuelan, Cebu, who will try to stand his ground against Giovani Rota, a visiting fighter from Malaybalay, Bukidnon, who sports a 7W-7L-6KOs record.

Two other Cebuano fighters will also try to hurdle separate opponents.

Mandaue City’s Gerald Suico will go up against Junrex Saldivia of Koronadal City, while Junie Villacrusis of Cebu City will take on Joepher Montano of Bago City.

The other fights will pit Vicente Casido of Dumaguete City against Bryan Samson of Lazi, Siquijor; Melvin Jerusalem of Bukidnon versus Rez Padrogane of Koronadal City; Junder Gregorio of La Carlota against Jesson Horteza of Compostela Valley and Cagayan de Oro City’s Michael Estrella against Jonnel Burlado of Lanao del Norte.