Two Filipino boxing champions who want to follow in the footsteps of boxing hero Manny Pacquiao will be the main guests in the 7th "Usapang Sports" by the Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports on Thursday at the National Press Club.
World Boxing Association Asia bantamweight champion Carl James "Wonder Boy" Martin and World Boxing Council Asia super featherweight titlist Al "The Rock" Toyogon will make their appearance in the weekly 10 a.m. sports forum supported by the National Press Club.
Joining the two boxers are Games and Amusement Board commissioners Mar Masanguid and Eduard Trinidad, who will talk about the government sports agency's campaign to regulate boxing and other pro sports.
Martin, a native of Lagawe, Ifugao will fight Petchchorhae Kokietgym of Thailand on Feb. 16.
The 19-year-old Martin holds an impressive 11-0 win-loss record, including 10 by knockouts. He won the title with a fourth-round knockout of Moon Chul Suh of Korea last Oct. 27.
His opponent Kokietgym boasts of 17-2 mark, eight by KOs.
Toyogon, on the other hand, is set to defend his title against Ryusei Ishii of Japan at the Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque on Jan. 26.
Toyogon, the 20-year-old pride of Gingoog City, Misamis Occidental, has a ring record of 9-2-1, including six by knockouts.
The Toyogon-Ishii title fight will topbill the "Night of Champions XVI" blockbuster card put up by well-known promoter-matchmaker Bebot Elorde.
Elorde and two other boxers –Ricardo Sueno and Diomel Diocos — will also grace the weekly session also supported by Kamuning Bakeshop. Sueno and Diocos will dispute the vacant WBC Asia flyweight championship.
TOPS president Ed Andaya of People's Tonight is inviting the public to attend the session. TOPS is composed of sports editors, writers and photographers from the country's leading tabloids.
