Gasca defends OPBF belt today

KOBE, Japan — ALA fighter Roli “Barili” Gasca will defend his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) superbantam title today for the first time against Japanese challenger Yukinori Oguni at the Sambo Hall, here.

The 22-year-old Gasca, the pride of Barili, Cebu and his Japanese opponent Yukinori Oguni easily made weight during the official weigh-in held yesterday at the Kobe PortTower Hotel here in advance of their OPBF duel slated this afternoon.

Gasca came in at 121.75 lbs, while Oguni tipped the scales at 121.5 lbs during official weigh-in supervised by members of the Japan Boxing Commission and graced by international matchmaker Joe Koizumi.

Gasca, fighting out of the ALA Gym, will be making the first defense of his OPBF 122-lb crown against the taller Japanese fighter, who is about four inches taller than the young Filipino fighter.

The Filipino fighter Gasca (17-1, 3 KOs), feeling great after a massage therapy session with renowned physical therapist Mr. JJ Matsuura upon the recommendation of long-time ALA Gym friend Ken Matsumoto, said that he is in tremendous shape and should be ready for today`s fight.

Oguni (6-0, 2 KOs), however, is himself looking to be in great shape which should make for an exciting fight today.

ALA trainers Peter Cuizon and Joseph Baldago expect the Japanese challenger to use his lateral skills, although they said they have already devised a gameplan for that.

Gasca won the OPBF diadem with a majority decision victory over Japanese fighter Hiromasha Ohashi back in August.

Another Filipino fighter, Armando Casa, sees action in the undercard against a Japanese opponent. /correspondent Salven Lagumbay