Filipino fighters gear up for grandest boxing match ever in “Pinoy Pride 27: Duel in Dubai”

SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD, UAE - Aug. 28, 2014 - PRLog -- The undefeated champions, Genesis “Azukal” Servania and “King” Arthur Villanueva with seasoned boxer Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista are all set to give their knock-out punches in the biggest and most exciting match this year, “Pinoy Pride 27: Duel in Dubai” to be staged in the Dubai World Trade Center, Sheik Zayed Road,in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 5 by premier network The Filipino Channel (TFC), ABS-CBN sports channel ABS-CBN Sports + Action, and ALA International.

The unbeaten 22-year old and Bacolod city (Visayas, Philippines) native Servania proves to be a force to be reckoned with, with a record of 24 wins and 0 losses
(24-0, 10 knockouts [KOs]).  For the “Duel in Dubai” main event, Servania has rigorously prepared to battle against 27-year old Mexican boxer, Jose “Matador” Cabrera to defend his WBO Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight title.  According to Servania: “Grabe ang preparation ko.  Lahat binibigay ko sa training.  Gagawin ko lahat para ipanalo ang laban kasi malaking opportunity ito para sa akin. (I really prepared a lot.  I gave my all during trainings.  I will do everything to win this match because this is a huge opportunity for me).”

He adds that his trainer pushed his limits as a boxer because of how huge of a threat his opponent will be.   Cabrera has a record of 22 wins, four losses, and two draws with ten knockouts (22-4-2, 10KOs).  He has been matched against world’s biggest fighters such as WBO Super Flyweight champion Omar Andres Narvaez and WBC Super Flyweight champion Tomas Rojas who he recently fought with in May.  Servania on the other hand, also has a remarkable resume up his sleeve.  He marvelously knocked-out Panamanian Rafael Concepcion during the second round of their 12-round match to claim the WBO Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight title and recently defended his title against Venezuelan Alexander Munoz whom he finished off with a sensational technical knock-out after 12 grueling rounds.

Supporting the main event is the battle between another Bacolod city native and 25-year-old Villanueva versus 26-year-old Nicaraguan fierce fighter, Henry “El Crespo” Maldonado to win the vacant IBF International Jr. Bantamweight Championship title.  Like Servania, Villanueva has prepared for his first ever match in the Middle East.  He shares that he and his coach thoroughly studied the boxing styles of his opponent.  He confidently says, “I think I am 100% ready for Maldonado on September 5.”  Maldonado, following his impressive fifth round knockout win against fellow Nicaraguan Bayardo Ramos that earned him the WBA Fedebol Super Flyweight title last February, and sixth round knock-out win against Mexican Fernando Aguilar that sustained his title last July, has a record of 19 wins, three losses, with 14 knockouts (19-3, 14 KOs).

The undefeated Villanueva is coming from an impressive first round knockout win against Mexican Edgar Martinez that earned him the vacant WBO International Super Flyweight title last year.  Villanueva has a record of 25 wins with 14 knockouts (24-0, 14KOs).  With the additional pressure to win the belt, he admits: “I’m nervous but I’m more than excited to bring home the belt for my family and friends who continuously believe in my skills as a boxer, and of course to bring pride to the Philippines.”

In another Dubai card that will be a sure fire slugfest blockbuster is the seasoned 28-year-old Bautista clashing against the resilient Mexican fighter Juan Jose “Piquet” Martinez in a ten-round match.  Martinez has a record of 19 wins, one loss, with 15 knock-outs (19-1-0, 15 KOs) and is the reigning WBC Mundo Hispano Super Featherweight champion. Bautista, with a record of 35 wins, three losses with 25 knock-outs (35-3-0, 25 KOs), is coming from his unanimous decision victory over Mexican Sergio Villanueva last May and is very much excited to come back to Dubai for another fight.  During his first stint in Dubai in 2010, he was mobbed by Filipino fans after he technically knocked-out Thai boxer Saichon Sotornpitak.  This year, he says he looks forward to fight again in Dubai: “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating mga kababayan sa Dubai sa patuloy na pagsuporta at sana ay patuloy nating ipagdasal ang tagumpay ng Pilipinas sa nalalapit na laban. (I am thankful for the continuous support of fellow Filipinos in Dubai and I hope they continue to pray for the victory of the Philippines in the upcoming fight).”

According to ALA Promotions International President and CEO Michael Aldeguer, the “Duel in Dubai” is the first boxing match that will be staged outside the Philippines.  ALA International has chosen the Middle East region, specifically Dubai because of the huge population of Filipinos working and residing in the country and adds: “The big idea is to break new grounds by initiating world class boxing in a world-class country as Dubai and bring in world class Filipino fighters.  This event would be huge as this is also the first time that both renowned boxing entities, the WBO and the IBF have sanctioned championship fights in Dubai.”  Aldeguer emphasizes that this will be the first of many international fights as they plan to stage more in the Middle East and United States of America where there is a huge population of Filipinos.

Support the Filipino fighters in the grandest, high-stakes boxing match this year, “Pinoy Pride 27: Duel in Dubai” happening on September 5, Friday at the Dubai World Trade Center in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Calendar, and OSN.  For more updates, visit www.facebook.com/TFCMiddleEast or follow @KapamilyaTFC on twitter and instagram to connect with fellow global Filipinos.