By BENJIE VARELLA – General Santos, Philippines – Philippine flyweight contender Fernando Lumacad will return to the ring this Sept 3rd in front of what is expected to be a large skeptical crowd in his hometown of General Santos City. Lumacad is returning to the ring for the first time since his disappointing performance against former 3 time world champion Jorge “Travieso” Arce..
Lumacad was Ko’d easily in the 3rd round by Arce last June 27 2009 in his US debut.. Lumacad who returns to the ring in an attempt to redeem himself and to see if he can earn himself a chance at fighting a top world contender. The GenSan native has alot to prove in this fight, as the highly touted fighter showed very little of the talent in his fight with Arce that had been promised by the Filipino boxers management at American Boxing Academy.
Lumacad 19-2-2 [8Kos] who is currently the #1 [GAB]rated flyweight in Philippines will be facing a tough test when he steps back into the ring and takes on fellow GenSan flyweight Richard Donaire in a scheduled 10 round bout in both fighters hometown of General Santos City.
Donarie is the far less famous cousin of world superflyweight champ Nonito”filipino flash” Donarie. Lumacads manager Ken Smith said “As a member of the famous fighting Donarie family, Richard has a boxing pedigree that cannot be overlooked, I picked Richard as Fernandos first opponent back because we all know Donaire is a respected fighter in GenSan and we want Fernando in a good fight for the people of General Santos to enjoy”.. As for Richard Donarie, who has recently much improved his game under the watch of his uncle and the Donarie boxing family patriarch, Nonito Sr, this fight against Lumacad could afford Donarie the opportunity to replace Lumacad as a fringe contender. Richard Donarie who lost a unanimous decision to the KO wonder kid and current world title challenger Marvelous Marvin Sonsona, has never been stopped in his pro career and hopes to upset the rebounding Lumacad’s hopes at boxing redemption.
The Lumacad vs Donaire scrap will support the nights main event wich features the unbeaten Jr flyweight sensation Jether Oliva, also a favorite son of General Santos, against Paithong Maungsima of Thailand. Oliva 20 yrs old, is another young Filipino fighter who appears headed for a showdown with opportunity. Assuming Oliva succeeds in turning away his Thai opponent in General Santos, Oliva is already scheduled to see action in Manila at the end of the month for the WBF-InterContinental jr flyweight strap. The GenSan fight card to broadcast on Solar Sports is being promoted by JM Promotions, and also sponsored by American Boxing Academy.
The undercard showcases what could turn into an exciting 8 round jr flyweight tussle between General Santos veteran Michael Rodriques and Ricardo “janjan” Claveria of Digos.
Rodriques is a perennial trialhorse who has fought and lost to most every top rated Filipino , and Thai contender while almost always gowing the distance and giving a good effort. Rodriques most recently lost a decision to the highly world rated Edren Dupudong. The fight with Rodriques should be a good test for the inexperienced Claveria.
Claveria 11-1 8Kos boxing out of Ken Smiths American Boxing Academy is being rebuilt for a rematch aginst Dodong Canoy…Canoy who is the young brother of former Olympian and WBO orient champ Eric Canoy gave Claveria his first pro loss last month in Cebu.
The undercard also features another GenSan favorite Superfly Rey LasPinas in an 8 round affair. Laspinas 8-1 4Kos takes on veteran Arnold ‘TheBillygoat’ Montojo.
Also included in the Solar telecast is American Boxing Academy boxer/slugger Roberto Udtuhan. The ABAs rising star Udtuhan at 11-0 10Kos takes on a tough Romell Abada of Mayor JoJo Lopez stable of Maasim in a 6 round superflyweight battle. The southpaw Udtuhan who has been quickly moving thru the local boxing competitors, is coming off of his most impressive win to date, a 2nd round TKO in Cebu on the undercard of Marvin Sonsonas crushing KO of former world champ Wandee Singwancha. Four other American Boxing Academy fighters will also see action… Malon Alta, Erwin Ancahas, Froylan Salodar, and Erwin Romassasa are all matched against 4 round fighters.