LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Local pride KJ Natuplag moves closer to as possible world title as he goes up against an unbeaten prizefighter from Afghanistan this Saturday at the Hilton Dubai al Habtoor City in the United Arab Emirates.

One of the undercards in the World Boxing Organization cruiserweight title fight between local Rolly Lambert Fogoum (10 wins, 1 knock out, 1 draw) and Mada Maugo of Tanzania, Natuplag will face Hasibullah Ahmadi (11-0-4 knock outs) in the undercard of a featherweight eight round match.

Ahmadi has won his last three fights all in last year via technical knockout, according to BxRec.

Natuplag, a Benguet State University alum is the former Asian Boxing Federation champion but comes off two straight defeats in 12 fights that include eight wins against two draws.

“He (Natuplag) has been preparing the past two months for this fight,” said Highland Boxing Promotion top honcho Brico Santig, who flew to the UAE capital Monday.

Natuplag last fought in November 2, 2019 when he lost to Mikito Nakamo, five months after falling to Joe Tejones, who last May lost to Ifugao pride Carl Jammes Martin.

Natuplag is supposed to fight on July 3 at the Elorde Gym in Sucat, Paranaque against Jun Estrada, but Santig replaced him with Rex Wa-o as the fight is too soon with his Dubai encounter.

“It is too soon, so I have him replaced by Wa-o in the July 3 fight versus Estrada,” said Santig, who said he has sent the money from Thai philanthropist Naris Singwangcha to the Games Amusement Board for its 11 boxer-beneficiaries.

Santig said he received the 270,000 bahts from the Thai, which he in turn gave to the GAB for the former world champions.

“Each will be getting something like PhP36,602 each or more than 12 months, instead of the eight months late and for this month or a total of nine months,” said Santig after transmitting the money to GAB.

GAB will now set the date when they can give Singwangcha’s financial aid.