Gonzales battles Canillas for PH lightweight title

Roberto Gonzalez, Saved by the Bell promoter Elmer Anuran, and Arjan Canillas pose for the camera after the weighing for the Vacant Gab R.P Lightweight Championship of Saved by the Bell Boxing Promotions at Shangri La Edsa, MAndaluyong City. Eloisa Lopez/PDI

Two power punchers collide Saturday night for the Philippine lightweight title at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Roberto Gonzales, dubbed as the Bad Boy from Batangas, and Arjan “Spartan” Canillas of the world-class ALA Boxing Stable headline the ‘‘Laban Pinoy” fight card promoted by Saved by the Bell.

On top of the national title, the victor will earn a crack at a World Boxing Organization regional title in the middle of the year.

“This is a good test fight for Gonzales and Canillas. The WBO is willing to give the winner a chance to vie for a regional title against a foreign foe,” said WBO Asia Pacific chair Leon Panoncillo, who attended yesterday’s weigh-in at Edsa Shangri-La.

“This is going to be a beautiful fight and I don’t want to disappoint the crowd,” said Gonzales in Filipino. The 5-foot-7 former Puerto Galera boatman has a record of 26-2-0, 16 KOs.

Canillas, pride of Toledo City, is unbeaten in 13 fights with 10 KOs.

‘‘If Gonzales will give me a beautiful fight, then I’ll give him a beautiful fight,” said Canillas.
Elmer Anuran of Saved by the Bell Promotion, said he is confident fans will like the fight.

‘‘I would like to thank ALA Boxing and the Games and Amusements Board for making this card possible,” he said. “We always strive to give the public thrilling encounters. I believe this is the only way to lift PH boxing.”