Chao Sy, Verano Boxing Gym join forces for 'Fist of Fury 12'

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebuano boxing patron Lorenzo “Chao” Sy of the Chao Sy International Promotions has partnered with Hong Kong-based Verano Boxing Gym for the upcoming “Fist of Fury 12” scheduled on July 26 at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

The free-admission fight card will showcase heavier weight divisions, highlighted by Cebu’s Carlo Bacaro, who takes on Thailand’s Channarong Injampa for the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Silver welterweight title in the main event.

Sy, who has been working to help revive Cebu’s once-thriving boxing scene, joined forces with former ALA Boxing Gym standout turned promoter Jake Verano, who is now based in Hong Kong and manages a stable of promising fighters.

READ: Trazo triumphs in ‘Fist of Fury’ boxing event in Bulacao

“Nagkig tie-up sila nako para maka sulod sila, unya ganahan pud ta naa taga laing lugar mo ari diri para mo away. Maka hatag gyud ta ug lain na pud nga sumbagay para sa mga taw. Kini mga dagko ni nga weight divisions,” said Sy during a mini presser on Monday, July 6.

(They partnered with me, and we also want fighters from other areas to come here and compete. We’re hoping to put on another great event for the fans. These are fighters from the bigger weight divisions.)

READ: FACES OF CEBU: Lorenzo “Chao” Sy, veteran boxing promoter

“Kita kung mo promote ug boxing, sumbagay man gyud atong tuyo, so expect gyud ang mga manan-aw nga nindot ni ang fight atong ipakita. Naa pud ko boxer mo fight ani, si Junibert Bantay, pero unya pa namo i-announce iyahang kontra.”

(Whenever we promote boxing, we always make sure to put on quality fights, so fans can expect an exciting card. I also have a boxer who will be fighting, Junibert Bantay, but we have yet to announce his opponent.)

Sy and Verano also partnered with Ringside Cebu to stage the event at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Bacaro, a former Omega Boxing Gym standout who now represents a new stable, enters the bout with a 14-2 record, including eight knockouts. Injampa, meanwhile, owns a 21-25 record with 15 wins coming by knockout.

Verano expects an action-packed show featuring fighters from different countries.

“Bibo ni nga dula kay international ni ang mga fighters, lain-lain ang modula. Naa pud ta WBF title fight, plus si Carlo taga Cebu. So, atngan ni sa mga taga Cebu nga dula, malingaw gyud sila ani. Iyaha ning lugar so maningkamot pud si Carlo modaog ani ug dili pud sayon iyahang kontra,” said Verano.

(This will be an exciting event because it features international fighters from different countries. We also have a WBF title fight, plus Carlo, who is from Cebu. So the people of Cebu should look forward to these matches—they will surely enjoy them. This is Carlo’s hometown, so he will do his best to win, although his opponent will not be an easy one.)

Also seeing action is Verano’s unbeaten prospect Saagar Pradhan, who faces Thailand’s Chan Sala in a non-title bout.

Pradhan brings a flawless 8-0 record with three knockouts and is coming off a third-round knockout victory over Nelson Tinampay in Bukidnon last April. Sala carries a 13-12 record with eight knockouts and is looking to rebound from a loss to Australia’s Jacob Clenshaw in New South Wales.

The undercard will also feature Verano’s daughter and amateur boxer Izumi Ai Verano against Kiara Baguio.

Other scheduled bouts include Wengel Mendoza versus Jed Malinao and Robert Jon Seares against Junriel Navares. Additional matchups are expected to be announced in the coming days.

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