RP BANTAM CHAMP GLENN PORRAS STARTS U.S. CAMPAIGN JUNE 10

Philippine bantamweight champion Glenn "The Rock" Porras, 25, starts his foray into bigtime boxing in the United States when he goes up against a still unnamed opponent in the Chumash Casino and Resort in Sta. Inez, California June 10.

Porras, a product of the grassroots boxing program initiated by former North Cotabato governor Manny Pinol in 1998, will undertake his US campaign under the management of New Jersey-based Vincent Scolpino, who also manages former Manny Pacquiao opponent Joshua Clottey, in a co-management agreement with the Braveheart Boxing Club.

Scolpino was able to work out for the approval of a US P1 visa for Porras after he was signed up in a promotional agreement by Gary Shaw Promotions which has been deeply involved in a tournament of the top bantamweights that include Vic Darchinyan, Abner Mares, Joseph Agbeko and Yohnny Perez.

"I have agreed to a co-management agreement with Vinny Scolpino to give Porras a chance to get the bigger fights in the US," Pinol said.

Another Braveheart boxer whose career will be handled by Scolpino in the US is former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Aspac Bantamweight Champion Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon whose return to the ring has just been announced by the former governor after a two-year lay off because of hand injuries.

Scolpino will act as the business advisor for Maraon, a native of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur who remained undefeated with 14 wins, 11 KOs and 1 draw.

Porras, accompanied by Angeles City-based American trainer Rick Staheli, will leave for the US June 1 and will stay with Braveheart Boxing Club's cutman Jeff de Guzman in Glendale, California.

Scolpino said Porras has to arrive in California days ahead of the fight because of some medical requirements that may be accomplished with the California State Boxing Commission.

The lefthanded Philippine champion has a record of 26 wins, 17 KOs and 2 losses. He won the national bantamweight title in a rugged a bloody fight against bullstrong Richard Pumicpic in February.

Fighting with a sprained wrist and two big cuts over both his eyebrows, Porras finished strong to win the title by Unanimous Decision earning the admiration of Promoter Gary Shaw who said that the Filipino bantamweight champion is the kind of fighter who will excel in tough fights in the US.[CARLOS BAUTISTA]