Dubai: Undefeated champions Genesis “Azukal” Servania and “King” Arthur Villanueva will jostle for attention with seasoned boxing sensation Rey ‘Boom-Boom’ Bautista when they headline Friday’s “Pinoy Pride 27: Duel in Dubai” boxing at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Organised by The Filipino Channel (TFC), ABS-CBN Sports + Action and ALA International, Pinoy Pride’s debut fight in Dubai will see Servania and Villanueva in action for the WBO Intercontinental Super Bantamweight Championship and the vacant IBF International Junior Bantamweight Championship, respectively.
Servania will take on Mexican Jose “Matador” Cabrera, while Villanueva challenges Henry “El Crespo” Maldonado of Nicaragua for the two international crowns.
Unbeaten after 24 fights with ten knockouts, Servania, who hails from Bacolod, has been training to defend his WBO Intercontinental Super Bantamweight title against his 27-year-old Mexican opponent.
The 22-year-old has an impressive resume. He knocked out Rafael Concepcion of Panama during the second round of the 12-round match to claim the WBO Intercontinental Super Bantamweight title. He then defended his title against Alexander Munoz of Venezuela, whom he beat with a technical knockout after 12 rounds.
Cabrera will be no easy target as in the past he has matched some of the best fighters in the world, such as WBO Super Flyweight champion Omar Andres Narvaez and WBC Super Flyweight champion Tomas Rojas to come in with an impressive record of 22 wins, four losses and two draws.
“This is a huge opportunity for me and I have prepared hard to be here and defend my title,” Servania told Gulf News before Thursday’s press conference.
“I have a good feeling inside me. A KO would be a perfect gift for my fans here, but what is even more important for me is to protect my record and continue winning,” he added.
Supporting the main event will be the battle between another Bacolod city native, the 25-year-old ALA Gym fighter Villanueva against 26-year-old Nicaraguan, Henry “El Crespo” Maldonado, for the vacant IBF International Junior Bantamweight Championship title.
“It’s very important that I win and keep my title as the ‘King’. This win will be a huge stepping stone for my career on the world stage,” Villanueva said.
The Filipino fighter is prepared for a tough opponent, having watched videos of Maldonado in addition to his rigorous training for the past three months. “I am prepared physically and mentally. I am focused on my future as a top boxer,” he added.
However, an expected packed house in Zabeel Hall 3 may reserve their loudest cheers for Boom Boom Bautista as he seeks a comeback of sorts against yet another Mexican opponent, Juan Jose “Piquet” Martinez.
This will precede a shot at the WBO Junior Lightweight Championship title, most likely next year.
Also on the undercard will be three bouts of four rounds with Larry Abarra taking on Chatpayak Nuengkawkawhok of Thailand, Deo Kizito of Uganda facing Anusher Abdullaev from Uzbekistan and Mohammad Akram of Syrian against Thailand’s Windy Sports.
“We have some of the biggest names of the sport for our Dubai debut. They are the toughest, the meanest and the fans will have a lot to cheer about,” Michael Aldeguer, President, ALA Sports Promotions, said.
