Tunacao hopes to challenge WBC 115-lb kingpin Rojas

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight champion Malcolm Tunacao has relinquished his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight title hoping to secure a showdown with WBC super flyweight titlist Tomas Rojas of Mexico in October this year. The 32-year-old Tunacao, a native of Mandaue City, Cebu, has won seven straight since losing a cut-shortened technical decision to compatriot Rolly Lunas in 2007. Tunacao, now based in Kobe, Japan, holds a ring record of 28 wins, two losses and one draw with 17 knockouts. He hopes to return on the world championship stage since losing the WBC flyweight belt to Thai legend Pongsaklek Wonjongkam 10 years ago. "I think my manager is planning for me to fight for a world title," said Tunacao, who is handled by Japanese promoter/manager Masahito Yamashita. "But they are still negotiating until now." The 5-foot7 Tunacao will have to drop three pounds in order to be eligible to challenge Rojas in the 115-lb weight limit. Though Tunacao hasn't made that weight since 2003, he doesn't feel it would be any trouble. Tunacao is still training with former world title challenger and long time friend Eriberto Gejon, while working as a personal trainer in the afternoon. Rojas, 31, from Veracruz, has successfully defended his WBC super flyweight strap twice since defeating Japan's Kohei Kono to claim the title last year. Rojas is promoted by Mexican outfit Zanfer Promotions and will face an opponent to be named on September 3 in Mexico. Rojas' 36-12-1 (24 KOs) record show his inconsistencies in his 15-year pro career. Rojas has been stopped by hard-hitting world champions Jorge Arce and Vic Darchinyan, and lost by decision to now retired champ Gerry Penalosa in a 2006 non-title match. "He's a good boxer and technical fighter, but I know I can beat him," Tunacao said of Rojas, who like him is also a southpaw. "I have good experience and a lot of people here fully support me." – JVP, GMA News Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and contributes to GMA News and the Filipino Reporter newspaper in New York City. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com. An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ryansongalia.