FORMER world title challenger Genesis Servania ends a two-year layoff and faces unbeaten prospect Andres Cortes in his US return Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021 (PH time), in an eight-round bout at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Servania, now based in Japan, last fought in the US in 2019, where he lost via a lopsided unanimous decision to unbeaten Carlos Castro.
After that loss, the 29-year-old Servania fought twice in Japan, beating Indonesian Ahmad Lahizab and former world champion Pungluang Sor Singyu.
Servania could spark a run for another world title shot if he wins against Cortes.
He fought Oscar Valdez for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight belt in 2017. Servania, however, fell short and lost to Valdez by unanimous decision.
Servania, a former ALA Boy, is 34-2 with 16 knockouts, while Cortes is 14-0 with seven knockouts.
On the other hand, another Filipino is seeing action in the same card.
Veteran Richard Pumicpic faces a tall order in WBO No. 3 rated super featherweight Abraham Nova in an eight-rounder.
The 27-year-old Nova is waiting for his turn for a shot at WBO super featherweight champion Jamel Herring. He’s unbeaten in 19 pro fights and won back-to-back fights against Pedro Navarette and Avery Sparrow.
Pumicpic is 22-11-2 with seven knockouts, while Nova is 19-0 with 14 knockouts. (EKA)