Paypa vies for OPBF crown today

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Boxing Gym stalwart Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Paypa (16-2, 6KOs) hopes to become a regional champion as he takes on Japan’s hometown pride Shingo Wake (17-4, 10KOs) in a 12-round rumble for the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super bantamweight belt today at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

The 21-year-old Paypa will hurdle a tough challenge fighting in enemy’s lair, but his camp is upbeat in his chances of capturing the OPBF title.

“Jimmy has a chance because he has power and he is more skillful than the Japanese,” said ALA trainer Michael Domingo. “Wake is taller than our fighter, but we are going to do adjustment during the fight.”

Both Paypa and Wake easily hit the 122-pound limit during the official weigh-in yesterday.

Paypa rides on the crest of a 12-fight winning streak before a technical draw decision against Tsuyoshi Tameda on May 27 in Japan. In his recent fight, Paypa scored a crushing fifth round knockout win over Gadwin Tubigon last July 26 at the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran, Bohol.

For his part, the 27-year-old Wake is on four-fight knockout winning streak. His recent victim was South Korean Jaesung Lee which he destroyed in the 10th round to retain his OPBF crown. (FREEMAN)