By Rey Danseco
MATI City – Thai fighter Garagod Rajagym grinned when he spoke about his height and reach advantages over highly ranked Juanito Rubillar, a hometown hero in Mati City, Philippines.
The 18-year old Rajagym, whose real name is Kriangkarai Kaewnongsamet, boldly predicted his victory by knockout inside of four rounds. The bout is the main event of the “Rumble in Mati” card at the 2,500-seat Cultural Center in Mati City on Saturday night. The card is free to the public. Rajagym is Rubillar's tuneup before a proposed WBC light flyweight eliminator with former champ Omar Nino at Arena Mexico in Mexico, City.
“We studied his style and I trained so hard for two months prior to this fight. I know I can beat him, knock him out inside four rounds,” said Rajagym.
Rajagym, who became a muay thai youth champion in Thailand before turning to boxing, arrived in this newest component City (which faces the Pacific Ocean and Indonesia) in the Philippines, with promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr., his wife Arlene and four Manila-based boxers.
The Thai fighter from Bangkok stands 5-foot-4, about two-inches taller than Rubillar, and has longer reach. Panyaparichot revealed that Rajagym’s right straight may give Rubillar, who was born and raised in Mati City, a big problem in their scheduled 10-round fight.
“I will use my advantages in height and reach and my right straight will finish him,” Panyaparichot quoted Rajagym as saying.
The 31-year old Pinoy just smiled and looked into Rajagym’s eyes when they posed for an exclusive photo opportunity before Bandera while host, Mayor Michelle Rabat and Board member Eric Rabat were closely at their back.
