By CALVIN CORDOVA
CEBU CITY — John Paul Gabunillas vows to put up a big show when he faces Indonesian Wandi Priman Hulu for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific Youth championship in the main event of ARQ Sports’ “Engkwentro 9” on Friday, March 24, at the Talisay City Sports Complex in Talisay City.
Gabunillas, who owns a record of 9 wins with 6 KOs against the Indonesia (2-0-1), expressed supreme confidence to emerge victorious in the fight as he is determined to improve his world ranking.
“I am 100 percent confident that I can win the fight. I am not going to promise a knockout, I will just show what I am capable of doing on top of the ring,” Gabunillas said after the weigh-in on Thursday, March 23.
Gabunillas, a native of Barangay Pardo, Cebu City, is the former Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation youth light flyweight champion.
Chelito Caro, sports director of ARQ Boxing Promotions, said a victory by Gabunillas will enhance his chances of earning bigger fights.
“With a victory, he will enter the top 15 in the world ranking. So this is a very important fight for him. We want our boxers to grow, that’s why we are giving them these kinds of fights. Seeing our fighters grow is the goal of our boss (Jason Arquizola,” Caro said.
The visiting fighter, however, vowed that nothing will be easy for Gabunillas.
“I trained for two months. I cannot guarantee a knockout or whatever but I came here to win,” said Hulu through an interpreter.
The boxing extravaganza will start at 1 p.m. and is free to the public.
The card will also pit ARQ’s Berland Roblez versus Ariston Aton of Cagayan de Oro City, Big Yellow’s Ronvex Capuloy against Junriel Jimenez of Cebu City, Prim Stag’s Kit Geron Garces versus John Mark Hechanova of Surigao City, Angelus Pilapil of ARQ against Jay-ar Galleposo of Zamboanga City and Marco PUmar of Prime Stag versus Bohol’s Anthony Galigao.
