By Carlos Costa

MANILA, Philippines   —   Fighters successfully made weight for Bebot Elorde’s Night of Champions XVIIset to thrill boxing fans Saturday, May 4, at the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañaque, Metro Manila, live on ESPN5 Philippines. 

In the 12-rounder main event, action warrior WBC Asian Silver Super Featherweight Champion “The Rock” Al Toyogon (10-2-1, 6 KO’s) scaled-in at 128 pounds for the second defense of his WBC Asia Silver Super Featherweight Title against taller, strong-looking Japanese samurai Ryo Sagawa, 25, who came-in at 129 lbs., in a clash that might not make the distance.

The 21-year-old Filipino born in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, will not have walk in the park fighting this Nippon fighter as the well-focused Ryo Sagawa is a dangerous warrior who has badly stopped three of his last five enemies at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.   Will Ryo Sagawa do the same to Toyogon?    Or will “The Rock” prevail over the incoming Japanese toro?

CO-MAIN EVENT:  BLAZO BATTLES “THE BULLDOZER” ALOLOD FOR WBC ASIAN SILVER

In the co-main feature, rugged Elorde Gym fighter Jun Blazo (11-6-3, 8 KO’s) of the Bebot Elorde Stable a man who has engaged in violet combats four times in Japan, and the experienced former WBC International titlist Benezer “The Bulldozer” Alolod (19-11-5, 7 KO’s) of Sana Rosa, Laguna, both stepped-in at the limit of the bantamweight division, 118 pounds for their battle for the vacant WBC Asian Silver Bantamweight belt.

Will Alolod be able to get beautiful heavy green WBC Belt?    Or will it be the Leyte-born Jun Blazo, 26, the one to claim the shinning and heavy green and silver WBC Asian strap?

Very evenly paired by shrewd matchmaker Patrick Pepito Pante, this exciting Blazo vs Alolod cash be missed.   Be there at Elorde Complex or watch it live on ESPN5.

The WBC referees in charge of the show are experienced third men Virgilio Garcia and Ferdinand Estrella.

MORE TITLE COMBATS IN “NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS XVI“

In another entertaining rumble in “Night of Champions XVI,” tough veteran Nathan Bolcio (14-15-3, 4 KO’s) of Benguet Province challenges Negros Occidental southpaw Roldan Aldea (12-7-1, 6 KO’s) for his GAB 135-pound strap.

Bolcio and Aldea, both have battled in Japan, Thailand and other countries facing tough opposition abroad, a feat that has made them better boxers, more ring savvy.    Will the 29-year-old Nathan Bolcio capture the GAB title… or will Roldan Aldea, 25, retain it..??  

In another well-matched collision, Cebuano-native, reigning GAB Super Lightweight Champion Jheritz Chavez (8-3-2, 6 KO’s) and the experienced and strong Junar Adante (7-11-1, 4 KO’s) both tipped the scales at the limit of the division, 140 pounds ahead of their battle for Chavez’ GAB Super Lightweight strap.   

Adante, a dangerous warrior who hails from the flourishing Province of Surigao del Sur in the beautiful Caraga region of Mindanao wants that belt.  At the same time, Chavez wants to keep it.   The two men come to this twelve-chapter melee from prior losses, both needing so much to get back into the winning circle.  Who will do it..??

In a non-title action rumble, unbeaten Filipino-American Kawelo Alcos (2-0, 1 KO) from the The Friendly Isle of Molokai in the Aloha State of Hawaii and the more experienced, well-trained Negros Occidental warrior Alvin Tayo (2-7-1, 2 KO’s) both successfully made the limit of the Light Flyweight weight class for their scheduled 6-round combat… or less.

Kawelo Alcos is managed by his father Alcos Senior and trained in Honolulu by popular Hawaiian boxing coach Bobby Villaver.

MORE WEIGHTS FOR NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS XVII ON ESPN5

Also, tough warriors Cris Alfante (15-7-1, 7 KO’s) of Zamboanga del Norte and more experienced Geboi Mansalayao (12-28-5, 6 KO’s) of the Highland Boxing Team made 112 pounds for their 12-rounder rumble for the Global Boxing Flyweight Title.

Plus, in a battle of young minimumweight boxers (2-0, 1 KO) of Bato in Eastern Leyte weighed-in at 104 pounds, while strong, and also undefeated in two fights with one knockout, Darwin (2-0, 1 KO) of the popular Dino Olivetti Gym cruised on the scale at 105 lbs for their six-chapter battle.  Who will lose his unblemished record..??

In addition, rookie fighter Melvin Mananquil of Zalug in Zamboanga del Norte recorded the limit of the light flyweight division, 108 lbs., while his tough opponent Ronald Alapormina of Labason, also in Zamboanga del Norte, stepped-in three pounds lighter at 105 pounds for their eight-stanza duel.

In another flyweight battle, unbeaten laser-focused Fernan Agencia (2-0, 2 KO’s) registered 110 pounds, while journeyman Ruben Traza (4-13-4, 1 KO) born in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, made 112 for their 6-rounder that might not make the distance.

Furthermore, 24-year-old undefeated southpaw Franklin Mendoza (3-0, 1 KO) of Kabasalan in Zamboanga Sibugay and Rodel from Lipa, Batangas, both made the limit of the featherweight division, 126 pounds for their hot 4-rounder fight.

In addition, in an exciting clash of rookie light flyweights, Gringo Navarro made 107 lbs., while serious-looking Anthony Trebucio got 106 pounds for their fast and furious four-round rumble that promises fireworks.   

All fights are sanctioned by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), supervised by Rafael Diokno and Antonio Comia.   GAB physician is Dr. Jose Rolando Rivera.   Also on duty are GAB officials Oliver Evangelista, Juanito De Guzman, Romulo Santiago, Janela Deauna, Raul Galit, Antonio Manigan and Madame Consolacion Bardaje.

“Night of Champions XVII” featuring a WBC Asian Titles Double-Header on May 4at the Elorde Sports Complex is a production of award-winning promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde in association with ESPN5 Philippines.

Fights begin at 12 noon.

The author of this story Carlos Costa is Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines.   Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.comand by whatsapp/viber/wechat:  +639184538152.