Julaton defense of WBO title in Mexico to air on GMA-7

Ana “The Hurricane" Julaton (9-2-1, 1 KO) will defend her WBO super bantamweight title for the second time this Sunday against Jessica Villafranca (12-3-0, 6 KOs) of Mexico in the latest installment of GMA-7’s Laban ng Lahi boxing series. Julaton preferred a title unification fight against Chantall Martinez who holds the WBA version of the title but that fight fell apart during the negotiations. Instead, Julaton will be going to her enemy’s territory to defend the title she won last year against Maria Elena Villalobos. At the young age of 18, Villafranca has already challenged for world titles three times; however, she fell short on all of these times but she did make a good account of herself which led to another world title opportunity. The young Mexican fighter has some power in both hands. She has a 50% knockout percentage which is very high for women’s boxing. She started her career with 10 straight wins, four of those coming via first round knockouts. But when she took a step up in competition, she fell short; losing to Darys Ester Pardo via split decision. Since then, Villafranca has been hot and cold. She won two fights after that but also suffered to setbacks. Against Julaton, Villafranca is out to prove that she has learned from all those losses and that she’s has it in her to win a world title. Julaton on the other hand is out to reassert her dominance. After falling to Lisa Brown early last year, Julaton has bounced back with three straight victories against very good opponents. While Julaton only has one knockout in nine wins, she’s slowly adding power punches to her repertoire. The mutli-awarded trainer Freddie Roach will not be able to be in Julaton’s corner during the fight as he is busy attending to WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao as he prepares for his third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez. Stepping in for Roach is Angelo Reyes, a long time assistant trainer for Julaton. To acclimate herself to the expected heat in Mexico, Julaton spent some time training inside a Las Vegas Gym. Pacquiao, who is currently in Baguio, predicted a Julaton victory when the two were interviewed at the same time on GMA News TV’s News to Go. “Millions of Filipinos are behind you to support you, and I wish you good luck and do your best," said Pacquiao. Julaton versus Villafranca is one of the best matches in women’s boxing this year. The two are raring to go and have both promised. LABAN NG LAHI: BAGYO SA MEXICO will telecast via satellite from Polifuncional Sports Complex in Yucatan, Mexico, on OCTOBER 2 (Sunday), 10AM over GMA-7. Live blow-by-blow action over DZBB Super Radyo 594 on Saturday, October 1, 11AM. - CLP/OMG, GMA News