By Rey Danseco
CARLITO Brosas and Zhi Lin Xia refused to predict a knockout, but they promised a war when they collide for the vacant World Boxing Empire (WBE) Asia Pacific welterweight title in the main event of “Eastern Brawl” card at Mandaluyong Sports Complex in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines tonight.
“He’s bigger and seems tough, but I’m ready for this fight and oozing with confidence to win,” said Brosas, who has eight knockout victims in 14 victories.
Xia, who will assists at the corner by his manager, the former three-time world weightlifting champion Xiaolin Xia, said he came to win and will bring to China the coveted 147-lb throne. He has 7 wins, 2 lose with 3 by by way of knockouts.
“Xia is a thinking fighter and he knows what to do against Brosas,” said WBE Asia Pacific chairman Zhi Wei Yang, who arrived Wednesday along with female fighter Ding Jin and her manager Mr. Wang.
The fight is slated for 12 rounds and will be televised by Elorde Boxing Special on November 5 over Jemah-IBC 13.
WBE Asia Pacific Commissioner-Advisor Dante Almario and Yang of China has tapped referee Bruce McTavish, a New Zealand-native but a long time resident of Angeles City with Filipina wife, and judges Edwin Sese, Virgilio Garcia and Ferdinand Estrella.
Top Filipino boxing patron Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. and Mayor Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales open the gate of the well-ventilated gymnasium, free for the public. The first bell of the 6-bout card rings around 7 p.m.
International Boxing Federation (IBF) 11th ranked minimumweight contender Ernesto “Hard Rock” Rubillar, the former WBC International champ, will fight for the first time after 13 months hiatus.
Rubillar fights Jun de Asis in the chief supporting bout scheduled for 10 rounds.
The complete cards includes the 6-round light fly fight between unbeaten Drian Francisco vs Manny Pacquoan; Rene Bestudio vs Michael Romulo (6-rounds, 118-lb); Raymond Sermona vs Janjan Recasio (4-round, 122-lb); and Romeo Lucenara vs Ian Dela Pena (4-round, 126).
Brosas, who tipped the scales at 146 pounds in the official weigh in yesterday, is coming off a 6th round technical decision win in a rematch over Anthony Ornopia last May 14.
Xia submitted exactly the division limit at 147 pound in a weigh in held at Games and Amusement Board office in Manila.
