By Rey Danseco
FILIPINO fans have been assured of seeing unbeaten Gabriel Pumar (9-0, 6 KOs) fight in flesh, being the new World Boxing Council (WBC) international minimumweight champion.
South African promoter Branco Milenkovic, who owns the rights to staging Pumar’s first three title defenses, assured the Philippine aficionados that the young champion from Lapu-Lapu City will see action in his native land.
“We don’t know when and against who will be his first defense, but it doesn’t have to be necessary in South Africa and against South African boxer,” said Milenkovic in an exclusive interview yesterday from Johannesburg. “It can be (held) in (the) Philippines as well.”
The 18-year old son of auto mechanic is assured of $7,000 purse (more than P357,000) in his first title defense, according to his manager Rex “Wakee” Salud in separate interview from Cebu City.
Salud added that about $9,000 (more than P459,000) and $11,000 (more than P561,000) are Pumar’s contracted prizes for the second and third title defenses, respectively.
The 5-4 puncher has entered in the world ranking for the first time, based on the rankings for April that WBC released yesterday.
Pumar is ranked No. 15 among 105-pound campaigners under the WBC minimumweight champ Eagle Kyowa of Thailand.
Pumar’s ranking is lower than the previously No. 12 spot of South African Tshepo Lefele, whom he dethroned via 7th round knockout on March 31 in Johannesburg.
Milenkovic, a naturalized South African of Serbian descent, admitted he is also anticipating of Pumar’s inclusion in the soon-to-release world ranking of International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization.
“I have already informed IBF and WBO (where Lefele was #10 and # 7) about the Gabriel win, and I’m looking forward to see his name in the new ratings,” said Milenkovic, bigboss of South Africa’s new leading boxing promoter Branco Sports Promotions (BSP).
Milenkovic proudly said he works with Rex “Wakee” Salud in advancement of Pumar’s career.
“I will work on Pumar with Mr. Wakee Salud, who is very close personal friend of mine and who I respect very much,” he said.
