PH vs. Cuba in Dubai

IT’LL be a collision between the Philippines and Cuba next month as three veteran Pinoy pugs take on undefeated Cuban prospects next month in Dubai.

Harmonito Dela Torre leads the Philippine delegation and takes on world-rated Jadier Herrera in the main event of “People’s Fighters” on March 10 in Little Cuba.

The 29-year-old Dela Torre is eager to bounce back after losing his last fight in Japan in 2022. He lost to Japanese Masayoshi Nakatani via a sixth round knockout at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

At just 20 years old Herrera is already ranked No. 8 by the World Boxing Council (WBC). He had an impressive 2022 campaign, beating the likes of Eduard Mancito, Marjohn Yap, Pablo Robles, Mauro Perouene and former world title challenger Franklin Manzanilla. He stopped Manzanilla in the fifth round to win the WBC International super featherweight belt.

Dela Torre is 22-4 with 14 knockouts, while Herrera is 9-0 with seven knockouts.

On the other hand, journeyman Adam Diu Abdulhamid (17-12, 9 KOs) slugs it out with 19-year-old Cuban prospect Jesus Gamboa (8-0, 2 KOs), while former regional champion Alie Laurel (19-7-1, 11 KOs) trades leathers with Dayan Gonzalez (8-0, 6 KOs).

Also seeing action in the same card is former ALA Boy Elmo Traya.

Traya (12-4, 8 KOs) faces off with undefeated Ugandan Abdul Azizi Ssebulime (8-0, 6 KOs). (EKA)