3 WBO fights weigh-in
0
1
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr
CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES – Former world title challenger Genesis “Azukal” Servania (35-4,16KO’s) will make his return to Philippine shores when he trades punches with China’s Aketelieti Yelejian (9-4-1, 2KO’s) for the WBO Oriental welterweight title this Saturday February 8. The fight will be held in Cebu City, at the NuStar Resort and Casino.
The last time Servania fought in his native land was in 2018, when he stopped Indonesian Jason Butar-butar in five rounds in Quezon City. The 33 year old Servania was a former headliner for the now defunct ALA Promotions. In 2017, he had his brief moment of glory when he knocked down then WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez in the fourth round. But Valdez knocked Servania down in the next round and retained his title by unanimous decision. Servania has since made a living fighting in the U.S., Japan and Vietnam.
During the weigh in, Servania was 144.4 lbs while Yelejian stepped on the scales at 145.3 lbs. The 26 year old Yelejian has previously held the IBF China and IBF Asia titles. Yelejian lost a majority decision to another local attraction, Albert Pagara, last year in Iloilo.
In the main event, Jong Seon Kang of South Korea will defend the WBO Global featherweight title against Ryuto Owan of Japan. Kang (20-1-2, 11KO’s), who has previously held the WBO Oriental belt, weighed 125.7 lbs while Owan (13-2, 8KO’s) was at 125.2 lbs during the weigh in. Owan lost in his bid to win the Japan superbantamweight title two years ago.
Yeerjialahasi Laayibieke (10-2, 7KO’s) of China will be pitted against another Filipino prospect, Rodex Piala for Laayibieke’s WBO Oriental junior lightweight title. Laayibieke who weighed in at 129.4, stopped Virgil Vitor in five rounds in Bohol last year for the regional title.
Piala (10-1, 1KO), who weighed 127.8 lbs, lost to Kenji Fujita in Japan last year in his bid to win the WBO Oriental featherweight title.
For the undercards , two time world title holder Vic Saludar (106.4 lbs) will face Roldan Sasan (106.4 lbs) in a non-title contest. Saludar is currently the number one ranked contender in the 105 lb division of the WBO. They are set for ten rounds.
Rising prospect prospect Alexander ‘Showtime’ Fredriksson from Sweden, who has Filipino roots, will make his second pro fight against Reymund Empic. Last December , Fredriksson stopped Jubmark Pan in the opening round in his pro debut.
Rounding up the preliminary contests - Jason Balajadia vs Vergel Diguma – 8 rounds, Rafie Jamero vs Yulie Hindoy – 6 rounds, and debutants Trestan Jay Racho vs Aubrey Silot – 4 rounds. This card is the inaugural promotion of Dr. Winley dela Fuente.
Photo – Genesis Servania (left) and Aketeliete Yelejian show their bravado during the weigh-in
CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES – Former world title challenger Genesis “Azukal” Servania (35-4,16KO’s) will make his return to Philippine shores when he trades punches with China’s Aketelieti Yelejian (9-4-1, 2KO’s) for the WBO Oriental welterweight title this Saturday February 8. The fight will be held in Cebu City, at the NuStar Resort and Casino.
The last time Servania fought in his native land was in 2018, when he stopped Indonesian Jason Butar-butar in five rounds in Quezon City. The 33 year old Servania was a former headliner for the now defunct ALA Promotions. In 2017, he had his brief moment of glory when he knocked down then WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez in the fourth round. But Valdez knocked Servania down in the next round and retained his title by unanimous decision. Servania has since made a living fighting in the U.S., Japan and Vietnam.
During the weigh in, Servania was 144.4 lbs while Yelejian stepped on the scales at 145.3 lbs. The 26 year old Yelejian has previously held the IBF China and IBF Asia titles. Yelejian lost a majority decision to another local attraction, Albert Pagara, last year in Iloilo.
In the main event, Jong Seon Kang of South Korea will defend the WBO Global featherweight title against Ryuto Owan of Japan. Kang (20-1-2, 11KO’s), who has previously held the WBO Oriental belt, weighed 125.7 lbs while Owan (13-2, 8KO’s) was at 125.2 lbs during the weigh in. Owan lost in his bid to win the Japan superbantamweight title two years ago.
Yeerjialahasi Laayibieke (10-2, 7KO’s) of China will be pitted against another Filipino prospect, Rodex Piala for Laayibieke’s WBO Oriental junior lightweight title. Laayibieke who weighed in at 129.4, stopped Virgil Vitor in five rounds in Bohol last year for the regional title.
Piala (10-1, 1KO), who weighed 127.8 lbs, lost to Kenji Fujita in Japan last year in his bid to win the WBO Oriental featherweight title.
For the undercards , two time world title holder Vic Saludar (106.4 lbs) will face Roldan Sasan (106.4 lbs) in a non-title contest. Saludar is currently the number one ranked contender in the 105 lb division of the WBO. They are set for ten rounds.
Rising prospect prospect Alexander ‘Showtime’ Fredriksson from Sweden, who has Filipino roots, will make his second pro fight against Reymund Empic. Last December , Fredriksson stopped Jubmark Pan in the opening round in his pro debut.
Rounding up the preliminary contests - Jason Balajadia vs Vergel Diguma – 8 rounds, Rafie Jamero vs Yulie Hindoy – 6 rounds, and debutants Trestan Jay Racho vs Aubrey Silot – 4 rounds. This card is the inaugural promotion of Dr. Winley dela Fuente.
Photo – Genesis Servania (left) and Aketeliete Yelejian show their bravado during the weigh-in