Johannesburg, South Africa – Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong, a farmer’s son from Pag-asa, M’lang, North Cotabato, enters the ring tonight knowing that he is the remaining hope of the Philippines in ending the string of losses suffered by Filipino fighters in world championship bouts.
With the losses of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, Brian Viloria and Nonito Donaire, Jr., and the setback last night of Zamboanga del Sur’s Jundy “Pretty Boy” Maraon in his WBA Bantamweight title fight, Edrin realizes that his rematch against South Africa’s Gideon Buthelezi for the IBO Junior Bantamweight Championship is a “must win” fight.
Dapudong, who will turn 27 on June 25 and who is dedicating his fight tonight for his ailing mother, Emily, and his father, Eduardo, on Father’s Day, is actually favored to win this fight, even by the South African media and boxing aficionados.
In their first meeting on Nov. 10, 2012, Dapudong dominated Buthelezi all throughout fight and knocked down the Zulu fighter in the 9th round but lost the fight by split decision, courtesy of a South African judge and an American judge who obviously favored the local boy.
A complaint which I filed with the sanctioning body following the controversial fight, prompted IBO President Edward Levine to order a rematch.
The composition of the ring officials in the rematch tonight, however, augurs well for Dapudong.
Assigned as referee is Robert Byrd, a veteran referee from Nevada, USA, who has appeared in many world championship bouts.
The three judges are Rich Green from Florida, USA, Artur Ellensohn of Germany and Stanley Christoduolo from South Africa.
“We have all the advantages in this fight. You are the better fighter, you are stronger and you have a psychological edge over Buthelezi because of the knockdown in the first fight,” cornerman Jeff de Guzman told Dapudong after the weigh-in yesterday.
Edrin’s desire to win is also fueled by the health condition of his mother, Emily, who is now confined in a hospital in Kidapawan City because of complications following a stroke.
He is also motivated by the fact that if he wins the title tonight, he will become the first boxer from North Cotabato to win a world championship.
This is a dream which is shared by all those who have supported the young fighters from North Cotabato, including myself and my brothers.
Edrin knows this very well. He knows that when he goes up against Buthelezi for the second time tonight, he is not only fighting a boxing match but he is chasing a dream.
And so many people are praying that this dream will be realized tonight.
(Photo caption: Edrin Dapudong is shown here with me and cornerman Jeff de Guzman as he feasts on spaghetti, chocolate cake and ice cream following the weigh in yesterday.)
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