BEFORE Manny Pacquiao climbs the ring against Juan Manuel
Marquez on Sunday, another Filipino fighter, Ariel Delgado, defends his WBC
Asian Boxing Council super-bantamweight title against Howhaan ‘Rachan’ Yakao
Silkopol of Thailand at the Lipa Provincial Sports Complex in Batangas on
Saturday.
Dubbed the ‘Machine Gun,’ Delgado, 24, will make the first
defense of the 122-pound championship belt he won with a stunning third round
knockout of Thai Rachamongkol Sor Pleonchit last December.
Organized by the Saved-by-the-Bell Promotions of Elmer
Anuran, the 12-round bout comes less than 24 hours before Pacquiao challenges
Marquez for the WBC super-featherweight crown in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Delgado, a native of Silay, Negros Occidental, is managed and
trained by former Philippine champion Emil Romano. He sports a 12-4 record in
three years as a pro and is looking fit and sharp for his coming title fight.
"Handa na po tayo. Pipilitin nating huwag mapahiya ang ating
mga kababayan," said Delgado, accompanied by Anuran in yesterday’s PSA Forum at
the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch.
"Tulad ni Manny Pacquiao, sana mahalin din po siya (Delgado)
ng mga kababayan nating Pilipino," said Anuran.
With a 27-9 ring record, Silkopol is no patsy challenger for
Delgado. He is rated No. 3 in Thailand today.
"We expect a great fight. Hindi naman din lang basta-bastang kalaban itong
Thai," added Anuran in the public sports program sponsored by Shakey’s, Pagcor,
Accel and Brickroad gym and Aspen Spa.
