Maraon Defends WBO Aspac Title May 23

Maraon Defends WBO Aspac Title May 23

Ozamis City - One of the country's top bantamweight prospects, Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon fights before a hometown crowd in this seaside city when he defends his World Boxing Ortganization (WBO) Asia Pacific bantamweight crown against Tanzanian Anthony Mathias at the fully-airconditioned Medina Gymnasium on May 23.

Maraon, 24, who holds a record of 13 wins (10 KOs) with 1 draw, hails from the town of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, which is only 25 minutes away from this peaceful city of 160,000 people. He is expected to draw thousands to the first big boxing event to be held here in over 30 years.

The 5' 6" tall southpaw will be making the first defense of the title he won via a sensational 3rd round knockout of compatriot Jason Igera in Cebu City last February.

Also appearing in the main undercared is 19-year-old Rommel "Lirttle Assassin" Asenjo who goes up against another Tanzanian fighter, Sadiki Abdulazizi, for the vacant WBO Miniflyweight Oriental title.

Asenjo, who demolished his last opponent in only 34 seconds last April 25, has a record of 13 wins (11 KOs) with 2 losses.

Ozamis City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, Jr., who is sponsoring the "War in Ozamis: Asia versus Africa," said the people of Ozamis and the nearby towns of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte are expected to flock to the Medina Gymnasium to witness the biggest boxing event ever to be held in the city. The fights will be telecast the following day, May 24, at 4 p.m.

The Tanzanian challenger, Anthony Mathias, is a former PABA superflyweight champion who holds a record of 23 wins against 11 losses with 11 KO wins and 1 draw.

Sadiki, on the other hand, is a young fighter who will be making his first attempt at a regional title. He has a record of 7 wins, 2 losses with 4 KO wins.

Also appearing in the undercards are WBO Interim Oriental bantamweight champion Rolando Magbanua, featherweights Reynaldo Belandres and Lorenzo Villanueva and Jermie Jabel.