Boxing
Filipino boxer Macahilig gets big test in former contender Diale
CEBU CITY – Mhar Jhun Macahilig, one of the next generation of Filipino boxing stars, has to pass the biggest test of his career Saturday night as he trades leathers with former world title contender Arden Diale.
“Yes, this is Macahilig’s biggest test as Diale is very experienced. This fight would tell if Macahilig is ready to go to the next level or not,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said.
The 21-year-old Macahilig challenges Diale in a 12-round fight for the latter’s RP flyweight strap at the Bay Center in Bacolod City in Cobra Energy Drink’s “Tunay Na Lakas Boxing” on Saturday.
ALA Promotions has promised to stage bigger events for this year in its successful “Pinoy Pride” series.
The Cebu-based promotional company is keen on bringing in more world title fights and renowned foreign fighters in the “Pinoy Pride” series.
Macahilig could become a mainstay in the biggest boxing series in the Philippines if he gets past Diale with flying colors.
”If he wins he will be consistently part of the huge events of Pinoy Pride,” assured Aldeguer.
Macahilig, 14-1 with eight knockouts, fought his biggest bout to date in his career in his last fight.
The Kalibo, Aklan native scored a second-round knockout over Kaichon Sor Vorapin last Jan. 28 as one of the main supporting fights for the “Pinoy Pride 11”.
The 23-year-old Diale, 17-6-3 with four knockouts, is a five-year veteran of the fight game.
He has already been in a world title bout but was stopped in the fourth round by then World Boxing Organization flyweight champion Julio Cesar Miranda last year in Mexico.
He has also fought two other world-class opponents in interim International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight titlist Johnriel Casimero and former world champion Rodel Mayol.
After Diale’s loss to Miranda, he had his last three fights, including wins over Richard Garcia for the RP flyweight belt and erstwhile unbeaten youngster Lotio Sonsona for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific Youth flyweight crown.
Two up-and-coming unbeaten youngsters, Melvin Gumban and Mark Acub, are seeing action in the undercard.
Gumban (8-0, 3 KOs) is tested against journeyman Nelson Llanos (22-27-3, 9 Kos), while the heavy-handed Acub (6-0, 5 KOs) takes on 19-year-old newcomer Rocky Sismundo (0-1-1).
Also in the undercard, Juren Labordo (2-0, 1 KO) locks horns with fellow undefeated prospect Engelbert Moralde (2-0, 2 Kos); Rey Morales (2-0) slugs it out with Bryan Inojales; Rolando Lingaolingao faces off with Anatacio Gallardo Jr.; and Marlon Macayan is up against Japanese Takaoki Noma.
