By Ronnie Nathanielsz
 
Two blockbuster title fights will highlight the "Sinulong Slambang" fight card, one of the highlights of the frenzied festival that has drawn hundreds of thousands of Filipinosfrom across the country and scores of Balikbayans from the US here in Cebu City on Sunday.
 
Presented by Hope, the luxury cigrarette, the Main Event features a grudge welterweight title rematch between reigning champion Dondon Sultan and No. 4 contender Cesar Yarte who fought Sultan to a standstill in their first meeting in  November 2002 before a wicked right uppercut ended the title dreams of Yarte.
 
This time around Yarte who has a record of 7-7-1 with 2 knockouts is and was leading on the scorecards of two judges when the end came in their first clash is determined to avenge that loss and has trained hard for the rematch. Sultan who belongs to the stable of well-known promoter/manager Sammy Gello-ani is dead set on retaining his crown and is coming off an impressive 9th round KO victory over Japan's Tatsei Marumoto last December 3.
 
In the second championship  fight which will also be telecast by Jemah Television and Viva Sports "live" from the parking lot of the Gaisano Country Mall at 8:00 p.m. over IBC 13, Federico Catubay battles Louie Bantigue for the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation flyweight title.
 
Catubay who is ranked Nio. 2 by the WBO Asia Pacific and No. 4 by the OPBF dropped a split decision in an OPBF title fight against Noriyuki Komatsu of Japan last Novermber 22 and is looking to snap out of that setback and get back in line for an OPBF title fight.
 
WBC featherweight champion In Jin Chi of South Korea who is training at the famed ALA Gym of respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer in preparation for a title defense on January 29 in Tokyo will be special guest at ringside along with WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista who is scheduled to leave for the US on Monday to continue training under Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.