By Rey Danseco
BACARRA, Ilocos Norte, Philippines - All systems are go in the biggest boxing card to unfold on May 18 in this town after the entire crew of the Ginebra San Miguel’s Ringside TV Boxing of ABC Channel 5 and the 14 boxers slated to see action arrived here late Wednesday night.
The card's promoter Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde Jr. has led the 10-hour trip of the two-vehicle convoy with 30-men on board, including the boxers' seconds and trainers, from Manila going to this historic-tourist destination municipality, which is situated seven kilometers from provincial capital of Laoag City, 488 km north of Manila.
The 14 boxers, that included a promising Pinoy-Hawaiian welterweight contender Michael Balasi, will converge in the official weigh in at noon today. It will be supervised by designated officials of the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), who will due this morning.
Balasi, son of a successful Ilocano businessman and boxing enthusiast in Hawaii named Frankie Balasi, will aim to avenge his controversial split decision lost in his RP debut in March against PBF super lightweight champ Arniel Tinampay in Nueva Vizcaya.
Stands 5-foot-7 in southpaw instance, the busy-punching Balasi takes on Anthony Ornopia of Caloocan City in the 8-round special attraction of the boxing installation of Mayor Philip Corpuz Velasco of Bacarra.
Balasi has 4-1 record with 3 by knockouts. He was a contemporary of Brian Viloria, whose Ilocano roots hails from Ilocos Sur.
The main event will be a 10-round rematch between veteran brawlers Baby Lorona Jr, a former RP featherweight champ, and Joebar Damosmog, Manny Pacquiao's former sparring partner.
Lorona, who once knocked out Pacquiao's younger brother Bobby Pacquiao, defeated the late substitute Damosmog via stoppage in the sixth round to capture the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation junior lightweight title in their first meeting in March 2005, in Mandaluyong City.
Also slated is the fight between former World Boxing Federation (WBF) International flyweight champ Sukarno "Master Showman" Banjao and Javier Malulan in the 10-round battle at 115-pounds, along with four pairs of clashes in the preliminary bouts.
This is the second coveraged event of Ringside TV Boxing in Ilocos Region within the month.
