By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Carlo Peñalosa looks to follow the footsteps of his uncle, boxing legend Gerry, as he will be in the main event of "Night of Champions", the main highlight of the 55th OPBF Convention at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum in Puerto Princesa on Friday night.
The 24-year-old Peñalosa will gun for the vacant WBC-Asian Boxing Council silver flyweight title against fellow Filipino pug Salatiel Amit.
Peñalosa, who currently has nine wins and one loss, is the favorite over Amit, who despite having an equally compelling record of 10 wins, two draws, and three defeats lost two of his last three fights.
In the co-main event, Jilbert Gomerra will battle Venezuelan foe Omrri Bolivar for the interim OPBF silver featherweight belt.
Gomerra, who had a strong start to his career by winning 12 of his first 13 fights, found himself reeling on a three-match skid.
Gomerra looks to go back to his winning ways as he fights in front of his fellow Filipino fans, but he has a tough opponent ahead as Bolivar has a perfect 5-0 record in his career.
Meanwhile, it's Japan vs. Thailand in two mid-card attractions as two OPBF female titles will be on the line.
Yuko Henzan battles Phannaluk Kongsang for the vacant OPBF female bantamweight belt, while Erika Hanawa takes on Sornsawan Khurnamarn for the vacant OPBF female minimumweight championship.
It will actually more than just a title fight for both Henzan and Kongsang as they, both sporting losing records, also look to build a winning run starting with their showdown.
On the other hand, Hanawa, currently holding an impressive 7-1 slate, looks to add Khurnamarn, presently at 2-4, to her growing list of victims.
Opening the card scheduled for a 5 p.m. opening bell will be two all-Filipino showdowns, Jeronil Borres battling Robert Ongcogan and Ryan Racaza taking on Junar Adante.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, whose boxing body sanctions both the OPBF and the ABCO, will be the special guest of the said event.
Sulaiman will also be the keynote speaker of the first day of the OPBF Convention on Thursday at the Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa in the said city.
He will speak in the general assembly in the morning and the gala dinner later in the day at the said venue.
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