Filipino pug Ocampo to challenge Burns for world lightweight title

ANOTHER Filipino boxer will fight for a world title this month as Jose Ocampo of Sarangani province travel to the United Kingdom to challenge WBO lightweight world champion Ricky Burns of Scotland on December 15.

Ocampo (17W-5L-1D, 12KOs) has fought here in Cebu six times since 2009 in fight cards promoted by SGG Promotions.

In March 4 of this year, he stopped Weng Haya of Mandaue City in four rounds at the Cebu Coliseum for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific super featherweight title. The 23 year-old Ocampo’s biggest win was an upset 6th round TKO victory over erstwhile world No. 2 ranked lightweight Thai Tor Silachai in Petchaburi, Thailand last April 25, 2011.

Burns (35W-2L, 10KOs) became interim champion when he beat Australian Michael Katsidis by unanimous decision last year. He was recognized as the regular world champion by the WBO after beating Paulus Moses of Namibia also by unanimous last March 10, 2012. The 29 year-old Burns’ last title defense was a fourth round TKO win over Kevin Mitchell of England.

Ocampo vs Burns will be fought at the ExCel Arena in London.

The other Pinoy boxers set to appear in world title contests this December are Michael Fareñas, Mercito Gesta and Nonito Donaire.

Fareñas will face unbeaten Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba for the WBA interim superfeatherweight title while Gesta challenges IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vasquez of Mexico on the undercard of the fourth fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas on Dec. 9 (Philippine Time).

Donaire will defend his WBO superbantamweight title against Jorge Arce of Mexico on Dec.16 (Philippine Time) in Houston, Texas./correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.