Servania out to enhance title bid vs Muñoz

MANILA, Philippines - Undefeated Filipino prospect Genesis “Azukal” Servania squares off with former world champion Alexander Muñoz of Venezuela tonight at the Solaire Resort and Casino Hotel, seeking to pass the acid test to possibly get a world title shot.

The 22-year-old Servania (23-0 with 9 KOs) is all pumped up to take on the veteran Muñoz (36-5, 28 KOs) in their 12-round encounter for the World Boxing Organization Intercontinental junior featherweight belt that serves as main event of 24th edition of Pinoy Pride 24 dubbed “The Future is Now.”

“Handang handa na tayo (We’re good to go),” said Servania, who trained for a month in the US and another month in Cebu.

“Tignan na lang natin sa loob ng ring. Matira and matibay (We’ll let our gloves do the talking. It will be a battle to the finish),” he added, smiling.

Muñoz, who previously held the WBA world superflyweight crown, had a bolder fight prediction.

“I respect Genesis very much and knows the fight is not going to be easy. But the knockout will just come,” he said, convinced that at 35, he still had the power to bring his opponents to sleep.

Should he pass the test against Muñoz, Servania would likely boost his stock in the 122-lb wars. Servania is currently ranked No. 3 by the WBO and with an impressive win, could move up among the contenders to champ Guillermo Rigondeaux.

Bacolod pride Servania and Muñoz easily made weight yesterday, with the Filipino weighing in at 121 lbs and the visitor from Venezuela coming at the super-bantam limit of 122 lbs.

Another promising fighter, Prince Albert Pagara (18-0, 12 KOs) takes the ring against Indonesian Isack Junior (22-4-2) in a 10-round super bantam fight in the undercard of the event presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports. rvnai

One more Pinoy bet with an unblemished slate, “King” Arthur Villanueva (24-0, 14 KOs) also features in the card, fighting Mexican Fernando Aguilar in a 10-round super flyweight gig.