Mananquil, Waminal ready for OPBF bout

The 25-year-old Mananquil won his last bout with a unanimous decision against Kim Lindog last July 23 at Robinson’s Place in Gensan. (Photo by Generation Bass, CC BY 2.0)

DAVAO CITY— Ben Mananquil of Sanman Boxing Gym from General Santos City is now 100 percent ready to face Jess Rhey Waminal of ALA Boxing Gym from Cebu in their much-awaited championship fight for the vacant interim Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight title on September 9 at the Polomolok Gym in Polomolok, South Cotabato.

“I am 100 percent ready for Waminal. I used as my motivation what Waminal and his coach told the media that he is going to knock me out. But let’s see on September 9. I can’t wait,” said Mananquil, who holds the record of 14W-1L-2D, 3KOs.

The 25-year-old Mananquil won his last bout with a unanimous decision against Kim Lindog last July 23 at Robinson’s Place in Gensan.

The camp of Waminal, on the other hand, fired the first shots when ALA Boxing Gym trainer Michael Domingo described Mananquil as an easy target and that his ward will definitely go for a knockout.

“Waminal is close to 100 percent being physically ready. We have slowed down in our training and we are confident he can meet the 118-pound weight limit,” said Domingo.

“Waminal sparred with Virgil Vitor and Jonas Sultan as part of his preparations against Mananquil. Our target is to really go for a knockout,” he added.

The 22-year-old Waminal (11W-1L-0D, 6KOS) also won his previous fight with a UD over Gerpaul Valero last April 26 in La Carlota City.

The Mananquil-Waminal 12-rounder is the main supporting bout of the “Road to Stardom” boxing presentation of the Sanman Boxing Promotions. Pitted in the main event is the title fight of defending IBF Youth super flyweight champion Jade Bornea (8W-0L-0D, 5KOs),and challenger Jakkrawut Majoogoen (19W-1L-0D, 11KOs) of Thailand.