Two Filipina boxers are set to headline a triple world championship event titled “Champions Arise” on May 30, hosted by Highland Boxing Promotion co-owned by Filipino promoter Brico Santig.
The event will take place at the SpacePlus Night Club in Bangkok, Thailand.
Iligan City pride Norj Guro (12-8-1, 4 KOs), a former World Boxing Council World silver atom weight champion and a multiple world title contender, will face local favorite Wisuta Singmanatsak (6-3) for the Women International Boxing Association (WIBA) atomweight (102 pounds) world championship.
In another highly anticipated world title bout, Carleans “Chay” Rivas (8-7-4) of Angono, Rizal, will square off against former Muay Thai fighter Panumad Pet Waynit (4-4) for the WIBA light flyweight (108 pounds) title.
The main event promises an electrifying showdown between undefeated Sheau Ru Yang (5-0) of Hong Kong, also a black belt in Kung Fu, and seasoned warrior Thanwarat Banphoo of Thailand, competing for the WIBA super bantamweight (122 lbs) world title.
Gary Connoly, a long-time supporter of Guro and Rivas, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to promote Filipina and female boxing in the region. He stressed the collective effort of Filipino fighters, coaches, promoters, and media in showcasing the skills, especially of Filipina boxing talent.
The 13-bout boxing extravaganza, held in collaboration with SpacePlus Night Club, the Singwancha Foundation, and the Mirinn Show, will be broadcast live on the YouTube channel and Facebook Page of Highland Boxing Promotions.
In a notable supporting bout, Filipino Jimmy Paypa (19-6-1, 7 KOs) from Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte, will compete in a 10-round clash for the vacant ABF (Asian Boxing Federation) Interim Welterweight Title.
The international Highland boxing event will also showcase Australian boxers, including woman super welterweight fighter Connie Chang (3-7) of Brisbane, Queensland, and light heavyweight Matt Floyd (9-0) of Perth, Western Australia.
Azerbaijani boxers bridgerweight Taryet Jafarov (28-7, 26 KOs) of Baku, and middleweight slugger Ismat Guliyev (14-0, 12 KO’s) of Gadabay, will contest in 10-rounders for WBC Asia titles.
Additionally, promising talents like Douglas Lee Kien Yoong (2-0, 2 KOs) of Melbourne, Australia, hailing from Malaysia, will be featured in a six-round middleweight battle.
Chinese boxers, including undefeated heavyweight Yize Jiang (2-0) and welterweight Yeerlan Nuerlanbieke (8-1-1) from the City of Urumqi in the Autonomous territory of Xinjiang, are also slated to compete in non-title bouts.
Lastly, 28-year-old Armenian warrior Mikael Arutyunyan (8-1, 5 KOs) of Sisian will engage in a non-title 8-round rumble in the featherweight division.
