Ana Julaton to defend WBO title in Argentina

CEBU, Philippines - She defended her throne three times already in Canada, United States and Mexico. Now, she is set to invade another unfamiliar territory which coincidentally got embroiled recently in a disgraceful ring incident involving a Filipino fighter.

Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton (10-2-1, 1KO) will risk his WBO female super bantamweight title for the fourth time against the undefeated Argentine challenger Yesica Patricia Marcos (18-0-1, 6KOs) on March 16 (Saturday Phl time) at the Teatro Griego Juan Pablo Segundo in San Martin, Argentina - the same place where Pinoy boxer Johnriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero and his team went through a harrowing experience a month ago.

Last February 20 at the Club Once Unidos in Argentina's capital of Buenos Aires, Casimero stopped hometown icon Luis Alberto “El Mosquito” Lazarte early in the 10th round to snatch the IBF light flyweight championship.

But before referee Eddie Claudio of New York could formally announce the winner, a throng of hostile Argentine fans stormed into the ring and attacked Casimero and his group that include his business manager Sammy “Don King” Gello-ani and trainer Christopher “Pingping” Tepora.

Chairs, bottles, punches and other hard objects were flying all over the arena at the height of the melee. Fortunately, Casimero and his handlers survived the ordeal and came home safe and sound.

Inspite of what had happened, the 31-year-old Julaton is unafraid to put his WBO belt on the line at enemy's lair. That is partly because Argentine promoter Osvaldo Rivero has assured Julaton of her safety during her stay in the second largest country in South America after Brazil.

“You have my absolute assurance that the stadium where Ana will fight is secure,” said Rivero in earlier report by Joaquin “Quinito” Henson of The Philippines Star. “All Yesica’s fights have been held before big crowds and there has never been a problem. I don’t see how things will be different in her fight against Ana. I speak from the heart.”

Julaton, who is gifted with gorgeous looks that you would have mistaken her as a ramp model if she’s not wearing boxing gloves, won the WBO title with a unanimous decision victory over Donna Biggers on December 4, 2009 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.

Julaton eked out a split decision over Maria Elena Villalobos in her first defense on June 30, 2010 at the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada. She had two more successful defense - both by unanimous verdict - against Franchesca Alcanter on February 25, 2011 at the Craneway Pavilion in Point Richmond, California and against Jessica Villafranca on September 30 last year at Polifuncional in Kanasin, Yucatán, Mexico.

Having hopped in three countries covering two continents, Julaton braces for war in a completely different battlefield. - THE FREEMAN