By Rey Danseco
ORIENTAL and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight champion Rolly “Matsushita” Lunas began a tough sparring session in preparation for his next title defense.
Lunas sparred with his previous opponent, the veteran fighter Jake Verano last Monday and yesterday at teh Kashimi Gym, owned by his manager Naoyuki Kashimi in Kanazawa, Japan.
Aside from the Bukidnon-native Verano, the 23-year old champion will also import another Filipino sparring partner as he intensifies his preparations for the scheduled bout against once-beaten Japanese bantamweight champion Masayuki Mitani in a mandatory fight at City Sogo Gym in Takasago, Hyogo, Japan.
Lunas, who honed his boxing skills in Manila, captured the title from fellow Filipino Malcolm Tunacao with 10th round technical decision last January at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
A native of Albay, the Japan-based Filipino hard-puncher living in Kanazawa in Japan, defended the title against Thailand’s Samingnum Wor Wiwatananon with and 11th round knockout last April at Sangyo Hall in Kanazawa.
Lunas energetically battered Wiwatananon from all angles, and finally had him at bay with furious combinations to prompt Filipino referee Silvestre Abainza to intervene at 2:08 of the 11th round.
The World Boxing Council, the Mexico-based umbrella organization of OPBF, ranks Lunas No. 9, five spots higher than when he beat Wiwatananon.
