Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. (left) together with his father Nonito Donaire Sr., in a press conference at Waterfront Cafe UNO. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Cebu City has been dubbed the Boxing Mecca of Asia, but watching an all-foreign duel on local shores is almost alien to the rabid Cebuano boxing fans.
That’s about to change on April 23 in the co-main event of “The Time Has Come: Donaire Vs. Bedak” at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Miguel Angel “Ranita” Gonzales flew all the way from Guadalajara, Mexico to have a shot at the vacant WBC Continental Americas super-featherweight title against Australian Paul “2 Guns” Fleming in the co-main event of the world title showdown between reigning WBO world super-bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. against challenger Zsolt Bedak of Hungary.
Gonzales arrived on Monday while Fleming is expected to plane in today.
In a press conference yesterday at the House of Lechon restaurant, Gonzales appealed to Cebuano boxing fans for their support in his fight as he promised an entertaining showdown this Saturday night.
Top Rank Promotions arranged this regional title bout between Gonzales and Fleming but Top Rank big boss Bob Arum will not watch the fight, ALA Promotions informed the press.
Sporting a 22-wins, 7-losses and 1 draw record with 12 knockouts, Gonzales said his superb speed and lethal combinations will pose a big problem for the unbeaten Fleming (21-0,14KOs).
“I am an intelligent and powerful boxer and I am very confident to win this fight,” Gonzales said through a translator.
Gonzales, who will be fighting out of Mexico for the first time said that he will dedicate his fight to the passionate Cebuano boxing fans as he vowed to snatch the title.
“I’m not gonna give him any chance to win. I will take every opportunity to beat Fleming and I am going to give my best so that Filipino boxing fans will enjoy this fight.”
The last time Cebu City hosted an all-foreign showdown was on 2013 when Japanese Tomoki Kameda defeated Namibia’s Paulus Ambunda for the WBO world bantamweight title at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
According to Gonzales’ trainer Baltazar Molina, they trained for a couple of months in Guadalajara, Mexico for this fight and have sparred with quality sparring partners including Mexican WBC Youth Silver lightweight champion Abraham Cordero.
Gonzales and another Mexican, Miguel “Mikol” Zamudio who will face Filipino Jason “El Niño” Pagara in the undercard, displayed their wares yesterday in a public workout at the SM City Cebu Event Center.