Dapudong earns another crack at world boxing title
EDRIN “The Sting” Dapudong of the Braveheart Boxing Gym of North Cotabato will get another chance to win a world title belt when he fights South Africa’s Gideon Buthelezi at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa for the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) super flyweight world title on Nov. 11.
The 26-year-old Dapudong lost to Hernan “Tyson” Marquez of Mexico by TKO last year in the third round in his attempt to win the WBA flyweight title. He has since won three straight wins.
Dapudong (27W-4L, 15 KOs) was a fixture of big cards promoted by ALA Promotions last year and fought twice at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, stopping Indonesian fighters Benja Loemoli and Sofyan Effendi. Dapudong spent time training in Angono, Rizal under Aljoe Jaro, who is both a boxing promoter and trainer. Dapudong and Jaro will leave for South Africa on Nov. 5 and they will be followed by former North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol, who has guided Dapudong’s career.
Buthelezi (12W-3L, 4 KOs) was stopped by Adrian Hernandez of Mexico in two rounds in his attempt to win the WBC light flyweight title last year. He is a former IBO minimumweight and light flyweight champion. He beat Filipino Ronelle Ferreras two years ago by unanimous decision for the vacant minimumweight title in South Africa.
Buthelezi moved up to light flyweight and beat countryman Hekkie Budler for another IBO title. He will move up once again and add seven more pounds to his body when he fights Dapudong in the 115 lb category.
