By Rey Danseco
Filipino fighters Benedict Suico, Gabriel Pumar and Mercito Gesta took the clean bill of health and the handler of their South African foes is worried for his boys.
The Filipino fighters were declared fit to fight on Friday along with three other fellow overseas challengers from Chile, France and Russia.
The Filipino trios passed the medical examination at the pre-medicals held at the Boxing South Africa offices Tuesday in Midrand.
The fight promoter Branco Milenkovic at least breathed a sign of relief after the examination.
“I must say I was impressed by the fitness levels of the foreign fighters. It seems like they have been preparing very hard,” Milenkovic quoted by South African media.
Milenkovic said he recognized the big chances of the young Filipino prospects of taking victories in their separate World Boxing Council (WBC) International title fight so he did precautionary measures of signing them for promotional agreements in case they win.
“Yes, I will promote the Filipinos’ WBC International title defenses if they win (on Friday),” said Milenkovic.
Suico, who’s given the biggest chance to win by South African media, will fight WBC No. 3 ranked flyweight Monelisi Mhikiza Myekeni in the main event of 6-bout card at the Wembley Arena in Johannesburg.
Pumar trades punches with WBC No. 12 minimumuweight contender Tshepo Lefele while Gesta takes on featherweight Jeffrey Mathebula, rated No. 23 by the WBC.
Suico (12-1, 9 KO's) and Pumar (8-0, 5 KO's) are fighting out of the Wakee Salud Stable in Cebu City while Gesta (8-0-1, 2 KO's) comes from Joy Ouano’s Stonewall Boxing Gym in Lilo-an, Cebu.
Salud is slated to join the Filipino trios in South Africa.
The three title fights, slated for 12-round, will be supervised by Italian Mauro Betti, head of WBC International.
