Looking a million dollars today, Laguna boxer Eljohn Evangelista shows the results of hard work and dedication to strip more than 20kg from his considerable girth after a long break from the ring. Evangelista has run a parallel path to his opponent BIG Roy Sumugat, who also got very chunky in his time away from the sport. Both these guys are very talented, and bound to gain a lot from this first fight back after a long holiday. This will be a great fight, and these are very definitely two fighters to keep an eye on in the future.
ELJOHN EVANGELISTA v ROY ROY SUMUGAT
Saturday May 1st in Urdaneta City Philippines
It may get rough, it may get ugly, but it’s also one of the most highly anticipated match ups at ANNIHILATION UKC this August.
RoyRoy “d’Hammer” Sumugat meets Jufel “the Lion” Salina, and they are vowing to test each other “mano e mano” - in true Southpaw style!
Jufel Salina resumed from almost a two year absence to score an excellent stoppage win against Kresler Tenorio at the end of 2021. The Lion has managed to stay busy in 2022, and it has paid dividends. He faced the promising Jonniel Laurente in February, and in what appeared anybody’s fight, the judges agreed. Tenorio earned a Majority Draw, and in this match he really displayed significant improvements on his first up win. He then faced a really promising type in the shape of Justin Cabarles, and while its fair to say his opponent had some ring rust, the manner in which Tenorio stopped Cabarles was ultra impressive. This Davao born fighter has now scored 5 wins, 4 coming by knockout, so he obviously lacks nothing in the power department. The Lion is a rapidly improving fighter on the upswing. He’s dangerous!
Roy Roy Sumugat makes his return to the ring after an unfortunate (and unexpected) stoppage loss at the hands of Juanito Paredes in late 2021. It was a match theat the man known as D’Hamer was favoured to win, but one that he will nonetheless derive plenty of benefit. Till then , it was a very successful year for the charismatic boxer.
D’Hammer had scored two stoppage victories already in 2021, and was showing no signs of slowing up!!
In May 2021, he landed a surprise round one knockout over the rugged Eljohn Evangelista, and then followed up in September with another knockout win over Glenn Bismanos. That match proved to be a great test of character for Sumugat, as he was actually dropped himself in round one, and bounced back to eventually wear down the dangerous Bismanos.
Sumugat is originally from Bacolod City, but is based in Manila with the Elorde team. He is constantly surrounded by quality fighters in that environment, and there is no doubt that the man known as D’Hammer has flourished this year with some regular sparring and competition.
Roy has a natural flair for distance and timing, and knows how to drop the hammer when he has an opponent in trouble. This former “part time” fighter is a major talent, and he has already notched up 12 wins against formidable opponents.
Be in no doubt that RoyRoy will have recovered nicely and will be in crazy shape for his assignment with Salina.
This promises to be one of the standout bouts of the day, but will also provide a real measure of how far Tenorio has grown as a fighter, or alternatively, how wilfully a vengeful Sumugat can out skill his less experienced opponent.
RoyRoy Sumugat v Jufel Salina
8 rounds Super Featherweight
ANNIHILATION UKC
Elorde Sports Centre Paranaque Manila
Sunday August 7th
WATCH IT LIVE AT:https://www.facebook.com/VSPPromotion
Bacolod's Genesis Servania will fight China's rising star Aketelieti Yelejian for the WBO Asia Lightweight title this November.
The highly-anticipated match up will take place on the undercard of the IBF world title fight between Pedro Taduran and Zhu DianXing at Jeju Island, South Korea.
Aketelieti Yelejian, who suffered a narrow loss to the Prince Albert Pagara in June, rebounded with an impressive IBF Asia victory against Korean Jin Su Kim in Vietnam recently. He is a very rangy and deceptive boxer known for his relaxed combinations, and he's supremely confident in his ability to take down Servania and claim the title.
"I've studied Servania's style, and I know I have the skills to outmaneuver him," Yelejian said yesterday.
"I'm excited to represent China on the international stage once more, and bring home an impressive win against a top and proven boxer like Genesis."
Servania, a seasoned veteran with a 35-4 record, boasts a reputation for toughness that has come from battles at the top level. And has still possesses some of the best body shots in the sport of boxing.
This important title shot gives the filipino the opportunity to re-establish himself on the world scene once more, and it's best remembered that his only defeats have came against world-ranked champions like Oscar Valdez and Andres Cortes.
But the China team have already confidently stated that Yelejian's youth, speed, height, and reach may all prove too much for the Filipino boxer.
Their optimism also exudes for the world title bout, where surprisingly, they are quite dismissive of Pedro Taduran's hopes of beating star Zhu DianXing. They actually rate their boxer so highly, they have predicted that the champion has no chance of retaining the belt.
These claims set up an intriguing backdrop for two massive Philippines v China feature bouts.
Fight Details :
- Date: Saturday, November 23rd
- Location: Jeju Island, South Korea
- Title: WBO Asia Lightweight
- Contenders: Aketelieti Yelejian (China) vs. Genesis Servania (Philippines)