The much-awaited rematch between Daryl Basadre (3rd from left) and Kenny Demecillo was launched yesterday in GenSan. Others in photo are (from left), Rinmar Metuda, Sanman Promotions CEO Jim Claude Manangquil, Sanman Promotions CFO Dexter ‘Wang Yu’ Tan and John Vincent Moralde. (Dong Secuya)
General Santos– More than three months after their controversial meeting, two boxers will be crossing paths again with one looking to validate his win and the other seeking revenge.
But more than exacting a pay back, Daryl Basadre, the WBC Youth Bantamweight champion, will hope to keep alive his promising career as the prized Sanman Boxing Gym stalwart goes up against the Cebu City-based Kenny Demecillo, headlining the “Brawl at the Mall: Revenge or Revalidation” on Sept. 26 at the Gaisano Mall Atrium, here.
“That was a sorry loss. The defeat could have been easier to accept if it was a clear loss,” said Basadre, referring to the June 7 encounter where Demecillo was awarded a second-round technical knockout victory and the WBA Oceania Bantamweight crown.
In that fight, Demecillo, one of the top prospects of Omega Boxing Gym, tagged Basadre with a left hook late in the second round and unleashed a flurry of combinations. Basadre wobbled and later fell to the canvas prompting the referee to stop the fight.
“I got hit with a solid left hook but I was still okay at the time. I was evading the punches until I stepped on a wet spot that caused me to lose my balance. I was shocked when the referee stopped the fight but didn’t even bother to count,” said Basadre at the event’s press launching yesterday at the Sydney Hotel.
Believing that the controversial ending has to be settled, JC Manangquil, the chief operating officer of Sanman Promotions, immediately worked out a rematch for the two fighters.
“We respected the decision of the referee but I talked to Basadre and he said he can handle Demecillo and he wanted a rematch. So we went for a rematch so we can prove if Basadre has really what it takes to beat Demecillo,” said Manangquil, who was joined by Dexter “Wangyu” Tan, Sanman’s chief financial officer, in the media briefing.
But Manangquil was quick to remind his ward that the fight is not all about revenge.
“At stake here is his career. It will be a make or break for him. All of the hard work that he put in will be put to waste if he loses in this fight. If he cannot handle Demecillo, it means he’s not ready for bigger fights,” said Manangquil.
Basadre, who has 14 wins in 17 fights with 10 knockouts and two losses and a draw, assured he is up to the task.
“I learned my lesson in our first fight. I became too complacent. My defense was poor. I have to be smart for this upcoming fight. I really worked on my defense, my footwork to keep him at bay,” Basadre said. “I can’t guarantee a knockout win but I promise to win every round.”
In previous reports, Demecillo’s camp stressed that the Iligan-native boxer (9W-6KOs-3L-1D) will be ready to score a repeat.
The risk may be high but a successful outing will reward Basadre bigtime.
“Should he win against Demecillo, we will try to arrange a fight against Juan Carlos Payano or Jamie McDonnell,” said Manangquil.
Payano is the WBA Bantamweight undisputed champion, while McDonnel is the WBA Bantamweight world champion.
Manangquil announced that the card will be free of charge.
Other fights pit John Vincent Moralde (13W-7KOs) vs Jerry Castroverde (6W-3KOs-1L) and Rinmar Metuda (7W-0L-) vs Jason Tinampay (5W-4KOs-1L).
The other undercard fights are still being finalized.