OPBF # 1 CASTAÑARES BATTLES JAPANESE IN EXHIBITION BOUT

by Dennis Principe (with reports from Emmanuel Villaruel)

30.11 - CEBU CITY, Philippine – Boxing disciples in Carmen can take a glimpse of the punching prowess of ALA Boy standout Dindo "Diesel" Castañares as the reigning RP jr welterweight king figures in a two-round, no-holds-barred exhibition bout with Japanese prospect Noriharu Iwatani of Osaka.

The Castañares-Iwatani war unfolds before hometown idol Sherwin Paro of the ALA Boxing Club stakes his clean 5-0 mark against PBF No.14 Federico Catubay of the Dipolog City-based Acaylar Stable, headlining the National Heroes Day' show by SGG Sports Promotions tomorrow (Nov. 30) at the Carmen Municipal Gym. Carmen is situated some 42 kilometers South of Cebu City.

The match is of equal importance for Castañares, 11-0-1-8KOs, as he is set to defend his throne either against Christopher Saluday or Rolando Pritos on December 16 in Sogod, Southern Leyte.

Aside from the exciting sparring bout, a special presentation on women's boxing plus an assortment of pro and amateur matches are expected to entice the crowd of this first pro boxing promotion ever in Carmen sponsored by the Carmen Sinulog EXECOM 2003.

Welinda Batulan of the University of the Visayas and Judith Baguio of Pit-os National High School, who both boldy ventured into the world of fisticuffs despite possessing looks of potential beauty queens, will try to outwit each other undder the 56 kgs. class.

In the main event, Paro, who turned pro only last April this year, is deadset on enlisting Catubay among his victims not only to stretch his winning roll to six, but also to climb up in the RP ratings.

"We really intend to put this card in Carmen because Paro has roots there. This is an opportunity for him to show his wares before a group of spectators, who look up to him as their idol," said promoter Sammy G. Gello-ani. Carmen is some 42 kilometers south of Cebu City.

To spice up the explosive card, PBF champion and RP No.4 light flyweight Bert Batawang of SGG Stable clashes with Nelson Llanos for eight rounds, while Cebuano flyweight prospect Jeremias Obera takes on Junieray Buagas of Dipolog under four rounds in the other support bout.