Two boxers from the Benguet-based Highland Boxing Gym saw action against undefeated opponents on June 5 in Dubai.
KJ Natuplag took on Hasibullah Ahmadi of Afghanistan while his sparring partner, Ador Torres, faced Sameer Anwar Pandya of Kenya in the undercard of the event dubbed Middle-East Crown set at the Hilton Dubai in Al Habtoor City.
Highland Boxing Gym manager Brico Santig said Natuplag is coming back after two years of no action while Torres’ recent outing was last year.
The Ifugao native Natuplag, who has eight wins, two losses and two draws, aims to redeem his record after suffering back-to- back losses in 2019 against Joe Tejones in Manila and later against Japanese Mikito Nakano in Tokyo.
He will be pitted in an eight-round match against Ahmadi, who has 11 wins with four by way of knockout in his sterling record.
Santig, who acts as trainer for his fighters since their trainers went home to their provinces, said Natuplag was able to have good conditioning while preparing for his bout.
Torres, meanwhile, who has four wins, one loss and two draws, saw action against Benjie Suganob in the Manila Arena last year.
His newest rival, Sameer Anwar Pandya, is fresh from his successful professional debut fight winning via knockout last March in Dubai.
Bannering the fight for the World Boxing Organization cruiserweight title is the match between Dubai’s Rolly Lambert Fogoum (10-1-1) and Tanzania’s Mada Maugo (23-19-1).
The curtain raiser would be Americans Ian Green and Montana Love who are both looking to take the win home.
Results of the fights of Natuplag and Torres will be released soon as details are available. – Ofelia C. Empian
