By Waylon Galvez
Four boxers of the Omega Boxing Promotions in Cebu City are now inside the ‘bubble’ for the September 30 event, the first in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Julius Erving Junco, head trainer of the Omega Boxing Promotions, said Wednesday that Mark Vicelles, Pete Apolinar, Cristian Araneta and Carlo Bacaro have been training at the ‘bubble’ inside the International Pharmaceutical Inc. compound.
“We’re ready, in fact nakipag-coordinate na ang Games and Amusements Board sa amin,” said Junco. “Nag-start na sa bubble yung mga boxers namin.
“Ang mga makakalaban naman ng boxers namin na manggagaling from different places, parating na I think this Friday. Magpa-swab test sila pagdating, then kung ok at negative naman, pasok na sila sa bubble.”
In the event that a visiting boxer tests positive for COVID-19, Junco said they have put an isolation area as a safety measure, while the fight would either be canceled or pushed through against an opponent from Cebu.
Vicelles is up against Junuel Lacar from Baguio City in the 10-round light flyweight encounter, while Apolinar takes on Jetro Pabustan from Cagayan de Oro also in a 10-round featherweight category,
The other two fights are between Araneta and Richard Rosales from Bohol in the flyweight division, and Bacaro versus Jeffry Stella from Cebu in the welterweight class.
Junco they are also prepared to host the event under strict health conditions.
“Napaghandaan namin ito ng mabuti, actually noong June pa sana talaga naka-schedule itong event. Kaso nga lang naging mahigpit dito sa Cebu dahil sa pagtaas ng case ng COVID-19,” said Junco.
“Pero talaga ang Omega Boxing Promotions – ang boss ko – he’s very excited na matuloy itong event,” said Junco, referring to Pio Paulo Castillo III, who is passionate in holding boxing events and develop homegrown talents.
Junco said that medical personnel do daily temperature checks on the four boxers and other persons in the bubble, which they would do even on the day of the fight. The weigh in is scheduled on September 29.
