By Carlos Costa

CEBU CITY, Philippines   —    Unbeaten hard-hitting “War Dog” Tomjune Mangubat (10-0-1, 9 KO’s) weighed-in at 125.7 pounds, while tough Iloilo warrior “The Silencer” Arnel Baconaje (10-3, 8 KO’s) came in at a nearby 125.1 lbs for their hot clash for the vacant WBC Asia Silver Featherweight title in the main event of Omega Boxing Promotions #Kumabti2 on Saturday, April 5, at Parkmall Mandaue here in the Queen City of the South, Cebu Philippines.

For this title combat against the War Dog Mangubat, Arnel Baconaje spent five months of hard training in Thailand as sparring partner of WBC Super Flyweight world champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, said his coach Warren Jaro during #Kumbati2 presscon today.

“He has been training hard.   Baconaje is in top shape.  And he learned much sparring daily with a big puncher world champion as Sor Rungvisai.”

“I did not know that,” said the Mangubat’s trainer Julius Erving Junco of the Omega Gym.

“Pero some times sparring too hard with a brutal puncher like Sor Rungvisai could hurt instead of help.    We don’t know.     We will have to find out,” said the popular young coach Junco who also trains a number of promising Omega fighters including world-ranked Christian Araneta.

At the end of the battle, who will emerge victorious in this good match-up, the War Dog Mangubat who prepared for combat here in Cebu, or The Silencer Baconaje who trained hard in Thailand?

In the exciting co-main feature, unbeaten Omega fighter Mark “Thunder” Vicelles (9-0-1, 5 KO’s) of Sultan Kudarat scaled-in at 107.5 pounds as incoming Dapitan train Robert “El Rapido” Onggocan (14-4, 7 KO’s) tipped the GAB scale at 108 lbs for the collision for the vacant VISPROBA Light Flyweight strap. ?

“I know that my opponent Onggocan is a good boxer.   He was good as amateur, winning titles.  That I know.   So I am happy to fight good player like him,” said “The Thunder Mac Mac Vicelles during the interesting presscon.   “I know it will be a good fight.”

Yes indeed, the Vicelles vs Onggocan is another good contest:  two 23-year-old skilled southpaws at each other willing to display their fighting talents; fans wondering who will prevail in this one..??  ??

In a third title fight, former WBC Int’l titlist, fearsome predatory jaguar Renz “The Jaguar” Rosia (14-7-1, 7 KO’s) of nearby Cadiz, Negros Occidental, stepped-in at 114.5 pounds for his rumble in the jungle against the dangerous “Tarzan” Ponciano Remandiman (9-4-1, 5 KO’s) of Cebu’s Omega Gym.

Tarzan Remandiman made 114 pounds, looking in great shape during today’s weigh-in at Manggahan Restaurant in Apas, Cebu.    The two men will battle for the vacant VISPROBA Super Fly title. ??      Two battling southpaws in excellent shape hungry for victory.

So who will win in this one, the predatory Jaguar Rosia, or Tarzan Romandiman King of the Jungle?    It’s going to be an exciting clash.  Both men aiming for victory.

Plus, exciting amateur clashes for fans entertainment.

In attendance during the official weigh-in ceremony was promoter former super bantamweight boxer Dino Olivetti of the Olivetti Gym in Binan, Laguna, Omega Gym head coach Julius Erving Junco, IBO vice president former super welterweight boxer Steve Scott of New Zealand, veteran coach Warren Jaro and Omega Gym executive Jerome Calatrava.

The entertaining triple-header is organized by promoter Jerome Calatrava of Omega Boxing Promotions.

Pro fights start at 5 PM, and Boxing Action Magazine will be there.

May the best men win..!! ?

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines.   Carlos can be reached by email carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp/viber:  +639184538152.