Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
    View Today
    Mon, Nov 6

    Former Inoue sparmate headlines country's first-ever boxing card inside bubble

    Former Inoue sparmate headlines country's first ever boxing card inside bubble
    Sep 29, 2020
    PHOTO: Screenshot from PSA Forum livestream

    A one-time sparmate of unbeaten Japanese world champion Naoya Inoue will be among the eight fighters seeing action in a groundbreaking boxing card to be held inside a bubble at Mandaue City, Cebu.

    Pete Apolinar of Omega boxing gym takes on Jetro Pabustan of Cagayan De Oro in a 10-round bout at featherweight, one of four featured fights in the boxing card put up by Cebu-based Omega Sports Promotions on Oct. 7 at the International Pharmaceuticals Inc. compound.

    The 25-year-old Apolinar carries an 11-1 record, with 8 KOs, and holds the distinction of serving as sparmate of Inoue, the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title holder before the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “He was able to spar with Naoya Inoue before nag lock down doon sa Japan,” said Jerome Calatrava, vice-president of Omega Sports Promotions in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) webcast Forum.

    “Yun sana yung laban kay (Johnriel) Casimero. Kinuha siyang sparring partner for Naoya Inoue.”

    Another Omega fighter in Ronnie Vecilles headline the fight card as he goes up against Junel Lacar of Baguio in a 10-rounder at light-flyweight. Vecilles is currently rated no. 10 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).

    “He’s a very good ring technician. Wala pa siyang talo. He’s not a knockout artist but he’s very savvy inside the ring,” said Calatrava of Vecilles.

    The rest of the card include Christian Araneta taking on Richard Rosales in a 10-round light-flyweight match, and Carlo Bacaro tangling with Jeffrey Stella in a six-rounder at light-welterweight.

    A total of five fights are only allowed by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) under the new normal, but one of the fighters supposed to be included in the promotions got injured, forcing Omega boxing to proceed with just four bouts in the offing.

    ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

    All fighters involved are already inside the bubble and will be swab tested by Wednesday (Sept. 30).

    A fighter that will test positive will have his bout cancelled.

    “We are honored and privileged to be holding this historic card in Cebu. It is a challenge, but we are looking forward to it,” said Calatrava.

    The fight card sanctioned by GAB led by chairman Baham Mitra, is the first to be held nationwide since government authorities locked down virtually the entire country in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the suspension of all sports events.

    “We would like to also thank GAB chairman Mitra’s backing in staging this event,” added the promoter, who stressed that they had to strictly comply with the quarantine protocols laid down by GAB for the fights to push through.

    “We will have about 50 people involved, including the boxers, crew, and the one referee we hired for the event that will be held in closed doors with GAB officials watching,” he said. “We will then play the video of the event on our Facebook page Omega Boxing Gym on a delayed basis.”

    CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
    Watch Now

    Among the products of the Omega stable, owned by IPI president Paul Jake Castillo, are World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight John Riel Casimiro, who successfully defended his crown in the US last weekend, and world title contender Jhack Tepora.

    MORE FROM SPIN
    MORE FROM SPIN

      ___

      Spin fans unite at the Spin Viber Community! Join the growing community now and complete the experience by subscribing to the Spin Chatbot.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

      Read Next
      Watch Now
      Sorry, no results found for
      PHOTO: Screenshot from PSA Forum livestream
    • POLL

      • Quiz

        Quiz Result