MIKE Plania reopens the door for Philippine sports worldwide in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic as he headlines a Top Rank boxing promotions at the MGM Grand conference on Tuesday in Las Vegas (Wednesday, Manila time).
‘Magic’ Mike faces no. 1 World Boxing Organization (WBO) contender Joshua Greer in a 10-round bantamweight match to be held behind closed doors.
Both Plania (23-1, 12 KOs) and Greer (22-1-1, 12 KOs) made weight during the official weigh-in on Tuesday. The Filipino tipped the scales at 119.5 lbs. while Greer came in at 120.1 lbs., both fighters wearing face masks during the proceedings.
The Filipino fighter out of SanMan Promotions, arrived in Las Vegas from Florida accompanied by Cuban trainer Moro Fernandez.
Plania, 23, is on an eight-fight winning streak and believes he’s capable of pulling an upset and stun the boxing world, which just returned last week after almost a three-month stoppage due to the worldwide pandemic.
“I feel really good, and I will do everything to win,” he said after the weigh-in.
“This is one step away from a world title,” added Plania. “I dedicate this to my country, my team, especially SanMan, and to my family.”
The 26-year-old Greer, a native of Chicago, Illinois, hasn’t loss the last five years, and is well-known for his gimmick of bringing a pillow in the ring intended for his opponents as part of plans to put them to sleep.
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