4 more Pinoys to fight in US: ‘Machete’ hopes to ring a loud Bell in Las Vegas

CEBU, Philippines —  After ‘Magic’ Mike Plania, who stunned the boxing world with his majority decision win over the heavily favored WBO No.1 bantamweight contender Joshua Greer Jr. last week in Las Vegas, four more Filipino fighters will be seeing action in the United States next month.

They are Mark ‘Machete’ Bernaldez, Reymart ‘Assassin’ Gaballo, John Vincent ‘Mulawin’ Moralde, and Fil-Am John Leo Dato.

The California-based Dato will be trading punches with Angel Luna of Dominican Republic on July 10 (July 11 Phl time) at the Chumash Casino Resort in Sta Ynez, California.

Eight days before Dato takes on Luna, Bernaldez (20-3, 14KOs), Plania’s stablemate at Sanman Gym based in General Santos City, hopes to ring a bell when he battles the undefeated American Albert Bell (16-0, 5KOs) in a 10-round rumble at a catchweight of 133 pounds on July 2 (July 3 Phl time) inside ‘The Bubble’ at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Since failing in his bid for the WBO Asia-Pacific lightweight belt to Kye Mackenzie on October 5, 2018, Bernaldez hurdled three of his last four fights, the last was via a crushing knockout of Renan Portes on December 15 last year at the atrium of GenSan’s Robinsons Mall.

Bernaldez, 26, certainly faces a tall order against Bell, the reigning WBC Continental Americas super featherweight titlist.

The 27-year-old from Toledo, Ohio grabbed the WBC regional crown with a unanimous decision win over the previously unbeaten Andy Vences on June 15 last year at the MGM Grand. Vences is the same fighter who beat Bernaldez by decision on October 26 last year at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

Bell is the heavy favorite but Bernaldez aims to copy the feat of Plania. He  is up to show the world what he is made of.

“Just like Mike (Plania) I am entering the ring as the underdog and maybe an acid test fight for their undefeated prospect. However that is also the way I see him. Another stepping stone for bigger fights in the future. I will do everything  to take home the win”, Bernaldez said.

On the other hand, both Gaballo (23-0, 20KOs) and Moralde (23-3, 12KOs) will figure in a pair of 10-round bouts against separate TBA (to be announced) foes on July 17 (July 18 Phl time) at the Manual Artime Community Center Theater in Miami, Florida.

Gaballo, co-promoted by Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions and Sanman Promotions headed by JC Manangquil, once reigned as WBA interim bantamweight champion, while Moralde formerly held the WBF International super bantamweight, and the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental featherweight titles.