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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider Vitor defends WBO Oriental crown vs Chinese foe

Vitor defends WBO Oriental crown vs Chinese foe

Published Jul 26, 2024 08:05 am

At A Glance

  • It's Philippines versus China when the 'Kumong Bol-anon XVII' fight card fires off on Saturday, July 27, at the Bohol Wisdom School Gym in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

CEBU CITY—It’s Philippines versus China when the ‘Kumong Bol-anon XVII’ fight card fires off on Saturday, July 27, at the Bohol Wisdom School Gym in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

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Boholano boxer Virgil ‘Valiente’ Vitor (right) and China’s  Yeerjialahasi Laayibieke face off after their weigh-in for their main event duel of ‘Kumong Bol-anon XVII’ on Saturday, July 27, in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. (Calvin Cordova)

Virgil ‘Valiente’ Vitor (22W-3L, 15KOs) of PMI Bohol Boxing Stable and Yeerjialahasi Laayibieke (9W-2L, KOs) of China clash in the main event of the seven-fight card put up by PMI Promotions.

“This is part of our vision to bring in quality fights, test the caliber of our fighters and see how far they can go,” said PMI Promotions chief Atty. Floriezyl Podot after the weigh-in proceedings on Friday, July 26, at the City Hall of Tagbilaran.

Vitor and Laayibieke easily made the 130-pound contracted weight as they both tipped the scales at 129.6 pounds. At stake in the fight is Vitor’s WBO Oriental Super Featherweight belt.

Laayibieke arrived in Bohol shortly before midnight on Thursday, and although he had just one day to get acclimatized with the new environment, he assured that he is in tip-top shape to accomplish his goal of unseating Vitor.

“I will do my best to win. I’m confident I can knock him out within eight rounds and bring the title with me when I go home,” Laayibieke said through a translator.

Vitor was unfazed with his opponent’s seemingly tremendous confidence. The 26-year-old fighter is coming off a seventh-round knockout win over South Korea’s Tae Sun Kim.

Vitor said the victory against Kim was an eye-opener as he bucked a second-round knockdown to steal the victory.

“It was a wake-up call. I have to come into the fight with a careful approach. It is easy for him (Laayibieke) to say that he will knock me out but I prepared hard for this fight and I believe I have what it takes to beat him,” said Vitor.

As Laayibieke clinched his right first, he extended his left hand and repeatedly tapped Vitor’s belt. For the Chinese fighter, the gesture was to send a stern warning that he badly wants to steal Vitor’s strap.

“I am really determined to steal his belt,” said Laayibieke.

Another foreign fighter will see action in the card with Thailand’s Surat Eaim Ong (19W-5L, 14KOs) going up against PMI’s Gerwin Asilo (8W-0L, 3KOs) for the vacant WBO Oriental Bantamweight title.

Female boxers Althea Shine Pores of Claveria, Misamis Oriental and Maria Theresa Pinili will fight for the vacant Philippine Female Junior Flyweight belt.

Other fights include Reymart Tagacanao versus Renoel Pael; Christian Balunan vs. Dexter Alimento; Angelous Pilapil vs. Keir Torregosa; and Shane Gentallan vs. Ariston Aton. (Calvin D. Cordova)

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