Toquero-Kakutani For WBC Youth on October 4th

By Carlos Costa

Boxing fans in La Trinidad, Benguet, have reasons to be cheerful as exciting boxing returns to their city, the "Strawberry Capital of the Philippines."   In the main event, slick southpaw Argie "Bomba" Toquero, a protégé of the Manny Pacquiao Gym, is set to collide with "The Samurai" Takaya Kakutani (7-4, 6 KO's) of Osaka, Japan, for the vacant WBC Youth World super featherweight title on October 4 at the La Trinidad Munipal Gym.

The 21-year-old Toquero (7-3-1, 5 KO's), who comes from knocking out four of his last five opponents, aims at punishing the Nippon warrior for his daring of punishing his friend Mike "Tyson" Tumbaga last year in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.

But Kakutani, a former PBF light welterweight (140 lbs) champ who belongs to the popular Green Tsuda Boxing Club of Osaka, Japan, wants so badly the WBC Youth 130 lbs strap.

Will Toquero be able to handle the hard-hitting Kakutani to grab the shinning brand new WBC Youth Champion Belt?     Or will the 23-year-old Japanese scalp yet another Pinoy?

SPECIAL ATTRACTION:  PACQUIAO'S COUSIN IN ACTION

As special attraction, unbeaten hard-hitting General Santos City super featherweight Joneil Dapidran Pacquiao, cousin of superstar Manny Pacquiao, will look for his sixth victory when he climbs the ring to battle brave Pampangueño Jeffrey Garcia in a six-round combat.

Joneil Pacquiao comes from knocking out fellow Filipino Gabby Siempo in the very first round just four weeks ago in Davao.   He is not southpaw like his cousin, but he loves to attack and thrill fans.  

In May the young Pacquiao devastated Japanese Yoshinobu Arai. Jhofel Camo-Camo was Pacquiao's victim in February.

Now we are in September.  Will Jeffrey Garcia stop Pacquiao to end up the party?  

Or will the young Pacquiao score yet another devastating knockout win to press forward his young, ascending career?  

MORE FIGHTS

In the co-main event, the popular Dayer "Die Hard" Gabutan, a former WBO Oriental bantamweight (118 lbs) champion, is back in the ring to exchange fire with the tough 22-year-old Mike Carl Espanosa of Bacolod, Negros Occidental, in a non-title 8-rounder wild west rumble in the featherweight division.

In another war, "The Warai Warrior" Mateo Handig (13-6, 7 KO's) returns to action after one year off the grid to take on Julious Bala (3-2, 1 KO) of the Fernando Alvarez Boxing Stable of Parañaque in 6 rounder in the flyweight division.   

Local 24-year-old Nathan Bolcio (11-6-2, 4 KO's) of Kapangan, Benguet, and his opponent the experienced 48-fight veteran Danelo Peña, born in Tiwi, Albay Province, want some of the spotlight too, as the two will tangle in a non-title eight-rounder in the featherweight division. 

Moreover, Jhunar "Vanish" Rivas (1-2-1, 0 KO's) of Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, will see action against debutant Gerry Kalaw of Batangas in a 4-round affair in a super bantamweight division.

In addition, Cebuano Jr. Flyweight Jeven Villacete will deal with local fighter Benjamin Bartolome of Barangay Beckel in La Trinidad in a six rounder in the 108 lbs weight class division.    The fans at the LT Gym will be with the home town kid Bartolome for sure.    So, Villacete will have to tough it up and may the best man to win.

The card is a production of local promoter Brico Langbay Santig, director of Highland Boxing, in association with AFS Promotions and the support of the government of the Municipality of La Trinidad, with special thanks to the support of Lorna Aquino, Maryjane Gacad, Aileen & Ferdie Syskowski, Ruben Bugnosen and Paul Cuyupan.