Sanman fighters topbill groundbreaking event

MAKATI CITY, Philippines — Mindanao brawlers Mike 'Magic' Plania of General Santos City and John Vincent 'Mulawin' Moralde of Davao take centerstage as Sanman Promotions’ groundbreaking event in Metro Manila billed as "Brawl at the Mall: Undefeated" gets underway this afternoon with nine exciting bouts on tap at the Makati Cinema Square here.

In a showdown of unbeaten ring gladiators, Plania (9-0, 4KOs) of Sanman Boxing Club will figure in a 10-round rumble with Lorence Rosas (5-0-2, 2KOs) of Samar for the vacant WBF International bantamweight belt.

On the other hand, Moralde (15-0, 7KOs), Plania's stablemate and the reigning WBF International featherweight champion, will slug it out with another Waray fighter in Jimmy 'Xcon Tirador' Aducal (8-5 -2, 6KOs) in a non-title match spicing up Sanman's breakthrough venture in the Big City.

 The 19-year-old Plania is a hard-pressed to hurdle what is yet his toughest test of his budding career so as not to jeopardize the big plans of his handler Jim Claude 'JC' Manangquil for him.

"This is the first time that I am fighting in the main event and I am very thankful for this opportunity. I'm excited but a little bit anxious. I will just show all what I've got and prove that I am one of the best in my division," said Plania, a former amateur standout.

Interestingly, both Plania and Rosas had to shed off  extra poundage before making the regulatory 118-pound limit during the official weigh-in yesterday at Tramway Bayview Buffet along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.

"This fight will serve as an acid test for Plania. We will see after this how he has matured as a fighter and if he's ready for the bigger stage in the pro ranks," said Manangquil, president and CEO of the GenSan-based Sanman Promotions who is perhaps the world's youngest boxing impresario at 22 years old.

For his part, Moralde vows to put on a show knowing that his bout against Aducal is still of paramount importance even if there's no title at stake.

"My career is on the line here so I have to make the most out of my skills to come up with a decisive victory. Losing is not an option because there's no other way for me than to go up," said Moralde, who previously kept his belt with a one-sided beating of Cebu's Anthony Sabalde last February 13 at the Gaisano Mall of Gensan.

"I'm up against a tough opponent but I'm ready. I'm looking not just for a win, but a knocokout win," he added.If victorious, Manangquil said the plan is to send Moralde in the US to undergo further training.

"We really have big plans for Moralde so he can't afford to lose this fight," said Manangquil. (FREEMAN)