Big derby slated at Big Dome

The much-awaited World Slasher eight-cock derby unfolds on June 18, 20 and 22 at the Araneta Coliseum pitting the very best battle birds of renowned American cocker-breeders against their Filipino counterparts.

Billed as the "Olympics of Cockfighting," it will be ushered in by the traditional press launch today at the Gazebo of the Big Dome where the participants will meet the tri-media.

Defending champion Roger Roberts, a 62-year-old electrical engineer from Atlanta, Georgia, will head the roster of entries in the derby hosted by coliseum owner Jorge "Nene" Araneta, Gov. Ito Ynares and the Firefly Group and sponsored by Thunderbird Power Feeds of Univet. Also in the fold are Eddie and Bomboy Araneta of Liza Galore and PBRJ Binangonan’s Gov. Ito Ynares and Boyboy Roa, who scored six points each to finish joint winners of last Wednesday’s season-ending NCA (National Cockers Association) seven-cock derby.