A Tri-People Extravaganza MANOBO, MUSLIM, CHRISTIAN BOXERS SEE ACTION IN ‘CLASH OF LITTLE TITANS’

By Manny Pinol

A young Manobo fighter from Kidapawan City, a Muslim boxer from Saranggani Province and Christian fighters from North Cotabato, Davao, Agusan and Cebu City will display their pugilistic skills in what is considered as the first boxing card featuring the country’s Tri-People, The Clash of the Little Titans on Oct. 11 in Davao City.

The second boxing show staged by the newly-organized Sonshine Sports Management which is supported by religious leader Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, the boxing event to be staged at the Davao City Recreation Center formerly known as the Almendras Gymnasium will be highlighted by three main bouts featuring three of the country’s top flyweights today.

World IBO Junior Flyweight Champion Rey “Hammer” Loreto of Tamayong, Davao City, who is preparing for his first title defense, goes up against Indonesia’s Heri Amoln while former IBO Super Flyweight champion Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong of M’lang, North Cotabato, who recently lost in a controversial split decision in South Africa, tangles with Wisanlek Sithsaithong of Thailand.

World-ranked Denver “Mr. Excitement” Cuello of Iloilo Province fights another Thai Jaipetch Chairyongym in another 10-round bout which will mark the Ilonggo fighter’s return to the ring after losing in his bid for the World Boxing Council (WBC) miniflyweight title after suffering from a dislocated shoulder rotator cup.

What is eagerly awaited, however, is the appearance of young and upcoming fighters from Mindanao, including a 21-year-old Manobo warrior who holds a professional record of 5 wins, 3 KOs and 1 loss.

Manobo flyweight Michael Andip Bravo, a former amateur boxer from Kidapawan City, will see action in a 6-round bout against a veteran Muslim fighter from Saranggani Province, Saddam Barambangan.

Bravo, who will enter the ring wearing the Manobo tribal colors, is expected to draw a huge crowd from the Indigenous People’s group because he is one of the rare boxing talents coming from the mountain tribes of Mindanao.

Saddam, on the other hand, who is more experienced and older with a fight record of 3 wins against 3 losses, will also go up the ring wearing fighting shorts in Maguindanao motif.

Saddam, who is already married, hopes to inspire other young Muslim Maguindanao’s in taking up a sport which has produced so many Filipino boxing greats but has yet to see the rise of full-blood Muslim fighter.

The other bouts will feature exciting match-ups between fighters from North Cotabato and the rest of Mindanao and boxers from Cebu and Bohol.

Here is the complete card on Oct. 11:

Main events:

– Rey Loreto vs. Heri Amol, Indonesia – 10 rounds, 108 lbs.

– Edrin Dapudong vs. Wisanlek Sithsaithong, Thailand – 10 rds. 116 lbs.

– Denver Cuello vs. Jaipetch Chaiyongym, Thailand, 10 rds. 108 lbs.

Supporting events:

– Lorenzo Villanueva, Midsayap, Cotabato vs. Godwen Tubigon, Cebu 10 rds. 130 lbs.

– Rolando Magbanua, Pigcawayan, Cotabato vs. Joel Escol, Saranggani, 10 rds. 126 lbs.

– Roberto Udtuhan, Baguio City vs. Renz Llagas, Butuan City, 8 rds., 118 lbs.

– Rommel Asenjo, Pigcawayan, Cotabato vs. Richard Rosales, Bohol, 8 rds., 107 lbs.

– Jilbert Gomera, Gen. Santos city vs. Ryan Quimbo, Cebu, 8 rds., 118 lbs.

– Jake Bornea, Arakan, Cotabato, vs. Renan Villaflor, Cebu, 8 rds., 112 lbs.

– Roskie Cristobal, Pres. Roxas, Cotabato vs. Rolly Llino, Cebu 6 rds., 135 lbs.

– Jaime Quitoriano, Davao del Norte vs. Melchor Abcede, Cebu, 6 rds., 115 lbs.

– Ryan Lumacad, Gen. Santos city vs. Robert Awitin, Cebu, 6 rds., 115 lbs.

– Michael Bravo, Kidapawan City Cotabato, vs. Saddam Barambangan, Saranggani, 6 rds., 109 lbs.

– Jade Bornea, Arakan, Cotabato vs. Macmac Baribar, Cebu, 4 rds. 112 lbs.

First fight is at 6 p.m

(Photos caption: Manobo warrior Michael Andip Bravo and the Sonshine Sports boxers.)