THE hard-hitting Mark Andrew Acub of ALA Boxing Gym will fight former Philippine Amusements Board (GAB) Lightweight contender Giovani Rota of Aglayan, Malaybalay City in the main event of the “ALA-Cobra Tunay Na Lakas Boxing” card this Saturday at the Molo Gym in Iloilo City.
Acub who is undefeated in 12 bouts with nine knockouts will battle Rota who has a record of seven wins with four knockouts and four losses.
For Acub, this 10-round joust is the perfect time to bounce back after his close majority decision win over Rene Bestudio (15-4) last June 22 in Bantayan town, northern Cebu.
Meanwhile, one of ALA Boxing Gym’s rising prospects, Vic Saludar who shone during the “Pinoy Pride XXI: When Worlds Collide” last July in Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila, will face Camilo Rey Seneres for his second professional bout.
Saludar is the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games bronze medalist and a winner of two Palarong Pambansa gold medals and six national championships before turning pro this year.
Saludar, the pride of Polomolok, South Cotabato was also named “Best Fighter of the Tournament” during the 31st Tammer Cup held in Tampere, Finland.
Saludar’s pro debut last July in Solaire Resort and Casino lasted only 52 seconds after he knocked Hundante out in the opening round.
His ALA Boxing gym teammate Elmo Traya of Tabuelan, Cebu will go up against John Rey Lorico of Koronadal City in the 130-lb. category. In the 122-lb. class, Bryan Lobitania of Kitaotao, Bukidnon and Ivor Lastrilla of Samar, Leyte will slug it out for four rounds.
Lito Dante of Tagbilaran, Bohol and Rodante Suacasa of Koronadal City will meet in the 105lbs division for eight rounds while Bukidnon’s Ryan Bongcawil and Albert Villacampa fight in the 115lbs division also for eight. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL