Pinoy Pride XI fighters wow fans during workout at SM City Cebu
THE fighters comprising Team Philippines wowed a packed gallery of shoppers as they displayed their ring expertise in a public workout held yesterday evening at the Events Center of SM City Cebu.
The activity was dome to promote the upcoming Pinoy Pride XI: Philippines vs the World happening at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel on Jan. 28.
WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo (25W-0L, 9 KOs) will headline the star-studded card as he defends his WBO Intercontinental flyweight title against Mexican Juan “Panterita” Esquer (27W-9L-2D, 21 KOs).
A highly appreciative crowd gathered to watch Melindo, who together with WBO Oriental featherweight champion Lorenzo “Thunderbolt” Villanueva (21W-0L-1NC, 20 KOs), OPBF minimumweight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo (16W-0L, 7 KOs), Mhar Jhun Macahilig (13W-1L, 7 KOs) and Joseph Von Minoza (12W-2L, 5 KOs) demonstrated parts of the workout regimen that boxers undergo before a fight.
The five ring gladiators skipped rope, shadow boxed, hit the punch mitts with their trainers, performed step ladder exercises and abdominal muscle strengthening with the medicine ball.
Some lucky fans also won free tickets and ALA Gym “Pinoy Pride” calendars during the Q-and-A portion. They also got an added treat as the boxers autographed the calendars and posed for photos.
Pinoy Pride XI is the first big event of ALA Promotions for 2012.
Villanueva, ranked No. 5 in the WBO world rankings, will face a Mexican fighter for the first time as he goes up against Diego “Tyson” Ledesma (18-4-2, 12 KO’s); Macahilig will fight Thailand’s Kaichon Sor Vorapin (25-10, 9 KO’s) in an eight round contest; Minoza will be matched up against Yoo Shin Kim (8-2, 6 KOs) of South Korea in an 8-round duel while Sabillo will face Indonesian Sofyan “The Cobra” Effendi (11-11-2, 9 KOs) in another 8-round non-title match.
The card will mark the unbeaten Sabillo’s debut outing in Cebu as he has fought all of his fights in Bacolod City.
