Davao City to host 1st heavyweight title fight in June

DAVAO CITY -- Dabawenyos will see the world's heavyweight boxers in action when this city hosts the "Thrilla in Davao” on June 15.

The “Thrilla in Davao” will feature Ronald Clyde “The American Dream” Johnson of the US tackle Saul “The Phoenix Assassin” Farah of Bolivia for the vacant Global Boxing Organization heavyweight title.

The 34-year-old Johnson (15W-1L-0D) has been waiting in the wings for an opportunity to stake his claim as a future world titlist.

“Johnson is not a pushover. He (won) the USNBC (US National Boxing Championship) light heavyweight championship in 2009 over Bill
Bailey,” said Rey Rodis, chairman of the RED Boxing International.

“But he cannot take his opponent for granted. He needs to have a definite fight plan if he wants to win,” Rodis added.

The 36-year-old Farah (69W-23L-3D, 60KO) has won the World Boxing Council (WBC) Latino heavyweight and the Bolivian cruiserweight championship.

“His (Farah) style is almost like Mike Tyson’s who comes surging forward to put down his opponent, the earlier the better,” Rodis said.

It has been 44 years following the 1975 Thrilla in Manila heavyweight contest held in the country’s capital during the Marcos years.

The “Thrilla in Davao” is a 54-round boxing extravaganza presented by the RED Boxing in cooperation with the city government. (PNA)