LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Another Highland Boxing Promotion has gone to the land where the biggest diamond was found hoping this time to see action when the other was “left marooned” just a month ago.
This time it will be the boxer, who worked as a vegetable porter during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to make ends meet, who will be co-headlining the International Tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa this Friday.
The six event at the PACOFS BFN in the South African capital will be co-headlined by Jelbirt Gomera, who was one of the two boxers who shifted to carrying and loading vegetable for Manila bound trucks during the Covid lockdown in 2020.
Gomera faces local Lerato Dlamini in the 10 round featherweight fight that serves as an appetizer for the James Mbiya Kanku of Democratic Republic of Congot who faces local John Bopape.
“He left last Sunday,” said Highland top honcho Brico Santig of his ward who is with Rey Inocian in the South Africa foray.
“Naghahanda na rin siya (he is already preparing),” said Santig during his brief stay here earlier this month and during the Cordillera day and before flew for Bangkok, Thailand for an official engagement.
Santig oversaw his wards spar on Cordillera Day including Carlo Magali who is set to face former Olympian Charley Suarez in October 23 at the Elorde Gym in Sucat, Paranaque for the latter’s 13th fight as a professional.
Gomera looked sharp during the sparring as he wishes to better his past performances including a failed attempt on the World Boxing Association title in Ireland.
The event will see a single eight rounder, two six rounders and a four rounder.
It is also the second scheduled fight for Highland boxers in the southern tip of the African continent after the failed of Magali.
Magali was supposed to face Ayanda Nikosi, 14 wins, one loss and eight knockouts.
The Magali team arrived in Manila on August 18 and had sparring sessions with Mark John Yap (30-17-0, 15KOs), MJ Uduna (4-1-2) and Reymond Yanong (11-7-1, 9KOs).
Gomera ended nearly three years of rustiness when he fought in March 26 this year against Thattana Luangshon and lost via knockout.
He fought thrice in 2019, a technical knockout loss to former top lightweight contender Ryan Burnett in Dublin, Ireland in May 17, which were followed by wins over Leshan Li (October 25) and Yengchao Sheng. Pigeon Lobien
