Philippine Sports News and Updates

WORLD-Rated Randy Suico faces a tough defense of his Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation lightweight title against rugged Japanese Nihito Arakawa on Sept. 20 at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

The 28-year-old Suico, who has a record of 28-3 with 24 knockouts, is ranked no. 7 by the International Boxing Federation, no. 8 by the World Boxing Association and no. 9 by the World Boxing Council.

Arakawa, who is 26 years old, has an impressive record of 13-1 with nine knockouts. He is coming off a fifth round TKO over Indonesia’s Jamed Jalarante last June 1. The Japanese is ranked no. 6 by the OPBF in its latest ratings.

Suico scored a third round knockout over Thai patsy Songkom Jockygm who had a record of only three wins against 14 defeats and three draws last April 21.

One of the Philippines best prospects for a world title in previous years, Suico’s career was regrettably stymied by a roster of patsies being fed to him and although he retained his OPBF title he hardly improved because of the absence of fighters who would provide him with a real test of his undoubted potential.

As a result, when he was matched against quality opponents he was beaten.

On May 28, 2004 Suico lost a controversial split decision in a WBC super featherweight eliminator to Mzonke Fana of South Africa. On Sept. 23, 2005 he dropped a majority ten round decision to former IBF world champion Javier Jauregui and then on July 15, 2006 Suico suffered a ninth round TKO in a WBA title fight against then champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz. Ronnie Nathanielsz