Mexicans hit for deliberately jacking up weight; PP8 today

Are the Mexican boxers fighting in tonight’s Pinoy Pride 8: Philippines vs. Mexico using an old dirty trick to gain undue advantage?

This question cropped during yesterday’s official weigh-in at SM City Cebu wherein two of the three visiting boxers failed to make the required weight for their bouts against Filipino boxers today at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

At first, it looked unintentional when Mexican Rosbel Montoya, who will face Filipino Jason “El Nino” Pagara, came in two pounds heavier of the 140-lb limit for their WBO Youth Asia Pacific Jr. welterweight title duel.

Montoya weighed 142lb while Pagara weighed at 140lb. Montoya was then made to reduce his weight and managed to hit 141 lb.

But when Mexican Francisco Rosas went five pounds heavier than the required weight of 112 lbs for the WBO Intercontinental flyweight battle against Filipino Milan Milendo, officials from ALA Gym began to be suspicious.

INTENTIONAL MOVE

“We consider it a wise but dirty move for the Mexicans,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer. “Most of the Latin fighters do this very often abroad so it is already an old dirty trick. They really mean to come overweight so they will have an advantage.”

Boxing patron and ALA Gym founder Antonio L. Aldeguer was also visibly disappointed.

“Maro jud kaayo sila,” the older Aldeguer said. “Ilaha jud nang style nga magpa bug-at para naa silay advantage kay kahibalo man sila nga dili ni world title bout.”

He said that since the fight only stakes a regional belt, the Mexicans will sacrifice a little just to come out with a victory.

Because of this development, Aldeguer stuck to the rules in the contract that slashes 10 percent from a boxer’s purse if in case he fails to meet the required weight.

This, however, is a small sacrifice compared to the advantage Rosas will have against Milendo, who came in at 111lb.

If Rosas wins against Milendo tonight, the WBO Intercontinental Flyweight belt will be declared vacant but the Mexican will still get the purse and improve his chances for a world title fight.

“They are only aiming for a win that will improve their rankings for them to brighten their chances for a world title bout. Dugay na kaayo ni nilang gibuhat and I have experienced it abroad,” added Antonio Aldeguer, who actually asked Rosas to reduce his weight inside a sauna but already accepted the fact that the Mexican will be heavier than Milendo come fight night.

Rosas eventually weighed 113.5lb on his final attempt.

For Milendo, the issue will be settled in the ring tonight.

“Klaro jud kaayo ila nang gituyo. Pero para nako, kaya nako siyang tumbahon sa first round,” he said. “Ang ako jud strategy ani kay timing ug depensa.”

The only Mexican who made weight was Gerson Guerrero, who came in at 120lb, one pound lighter than the 121lb catch weight. He will face Filipino Genesis Servania, who weighed 121 lb. /CORRESPONDENTs DALE G. ROSAL and Rene Bonsubre Jr.