Bungu backs out of Pacquiao fight
by Dennis Principe
28.01 - PARAÑAQUE City, Philippines - Former world champion Vuyani “The Beast” Bungu has backed out of his scheduled 10-round non-title fight versus IBF superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao on March 8 at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater in this city.
According to International promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde, the 35-year old Bungu wanted to fight Pacquiao only if the IBF title will be at stake.
However, Pacquiao’s preparation is geared towards a non-title fight where his main objective is to test his readiness to campaign in the star-studded featherweight division.
With the latest development, Elorde was forced to find a suitable opponent for Pacquiao and was immediately able to get one in Erikzhan Yeshmangbetov of Kazakhstan.
Little is known about Yeshmangbetov except that he is a former amateur champion. He has a professional record of 15 wins, 10 by KO’s with three losses.
In the undercard, Pacquiao’s younger brother Bobby will be making the third defense of his RP superfeatherweight title versus ex-RP Featherweight champion Baby Lorona Jr.
The Pacquiao-Lorona title tiff is a rematch of their first fight held November 20 at the same venue where Pacquiao won by a unanimous decision.
In their initial encounter, Pacquiao and Lorona fought in a close but grueling 12-rounds which paved the way for their camps to agree in another face off.
In another title fight, Philippine superflyweight champion Roger Galicia moves up in weight to confront local bantamweight champion Johnny Lear for the vacant WBC International bantamweight crown.
The title was vacated by Filipino Abner Cordero after failing a Hepatitis-B test late last year.
Also, stylish youngster Z Gorres, an undefeated RP #3 flyweight contender, tries to solidify his bid at superstardom when he faces Sanburi Sithsobha (14-8-2, 6 KO’s) of Thailand scheduled for 10-rounds.
Gorres’ last outing was a 4th round KO win over Ricky Escaner last weekend in Cebu City which impressed former PBA commissioner Rudy Salud who was then at ringside.
Salud immediately worked out a deal with Gorres’ manager, sportsman Antonio Aldeguer to bring the boxer at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California sometime this year.
Meanwhile, Sydney Olympian Danilo Lerio, Jr. gets his opportunity of avenging his only professional loss as he faces tormentor Along Dinoy in a rematch which will also be in the Pacquiao-Yeshmangbetov undercard.
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