MANILA, Philippines - Fireworks erupted at Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City on Friday, January 15, as fighters took their weight and engaged in a furious staredown at the official weigh-in for Pacific Xtreme Combat’s first live event this year.
All eyes are on the headlining bout between two homegrown talents as Crisanto Pitpitunge faces compatriot Jenel Lausa for the available PXC flyweight championship that was vacated by American-bred Filipino Alvin Cacdac after failing to make weight in his title defense against Pitpitunge in June 2015.
Both Pitpitunge and Lausa tipped the scales at 124 pounds to receive the green light for Saturday night’s main attraction.
Lausa appeared that he had no problem meeting the contracted weight limit, while Pitpitunge barely squeezed through an eye of a needle to not repeat his struggle on the weighing scale when he challenged Cacdac for the silver-plated strap.
The other championship clash on the card also received the clearance from the Games and Amusements Board as Kyle Aguon (134.3 lbs) of Guam defends his PXC bantamweight belt against Korean stalwart Kwan Ho Kwak (134.8 lbs) in the co-main event.
Rolando Gabriel Dy easily made his return to the featherweight division after 3 matches at bantamweight as he came in at 144.7 pounds, while his opponent Miguel Mosquera was over the allowable 146-pound limit by 5.6.
However, the bout will still push through as a catchweight contest as Dy gave his approval to take on Mosquera despite being overweight.
Aside from Pitpitunge, three of his Team Lakay colleagues are slated to compete on the undercard of PXC 51, which takes place at Solaire Resort and Casino’s Grand Ballroom on Saturday, January 16.
Gina Iniong (105.2 lbs) locks horns with Spain’s Vanessa Rico Fernandez (105.5 lbs), while Jon Cris Corton (124.5 lbs) squares off with Uzbekistani flyweight Farmon Gafarov (125.9 lbs).
Also wearing the colors of Team Lakay at PXC 51 is Stephen Loman (133.7 lbs), who meets URCC alumnus Rex De Lara (133.8 lbs) in a three-round bantamweight tussle.
Three others fights were also cleared by the regulatory board as Brazilian combatant Wesley Perriera (143.8 lbs) battles Sho Kagane (145.5 lbs) of South Korea, Philippines’ Ernie Braca (134.9 lbs) dances with Thailand-based American Emilio Urrutia (133.5 lbs), and Japanese stalwart Nao Yoneda (169.6 lbs) faces Han Seul Kim 170.9 lbs) of South Korea. – Rappler.com