ARQ’s Abne battles veteran warrior in ‘Bugbugan sa Abra’

Sports

APRIL Jay “Astroboy” Abne of the Cebu City-based ARQ Boxing Stable will gun for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Asia flyweight title when he battles a veteran opponent in the main event of the “Bugbugan sa Abra” on Oct. 12 at the Gov. Andres B. Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Bangued, Abra.

Abne’s mettle will be tested by Jesse Espinas, a veteran ring warrior who has won his last three fights.

Espinas, the current World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian super flyweight champion, has 24 wins, seven losses with 14 of his wins coming by way of knockout.

The 32-year-old Espinas won his current WBC belt after scoring a fifth-round technical knockout win over China’s Jiangtao Cao last June.

A former WBO Oriental light flyweight and Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) minimumweight champion, Espinas is currently ranked No. 7 in the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) light flyweight division.

Abne is also on a tear, scoring seven straight wins before settling for a draw in his March 25 fight against Anthony Gilbuela.

A former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) silver champion and 2019 Ultimate Boxing Series grand winner, the 26-year-old Abne has 15 wins–six by KO–one loss, and one draw, with six victories coming by knockout.

Exciting undercard fights will spice up the boxing extravaganza promoted by Placido Eduarte Jr. of Solid North Promotions.(CCM)