Metuda, Lagumbay collide for crown

A pair of hard-hitting lefties who have fought extensively abroad contest the Games and Amusements Board-Philippijne super-lightweight crown in today's edition of Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow-By-Blow at the Oval Plaza of General Santos City.

The scheduled 12-rounder for the 140-lb title starring Rimar Metuda and Alvin Lagumbay will be the top offering of the 12-fight card that is being held in celebration of the 45th birthday of the boxing legend on Sunday.

Metuda, packing a 16-8-1 win-loss-draw card with 10 knockouts, has seen action in Japan, China and Russia.

Lagumbay, boasting of a 14-7 slate with 12 knockouts, has campaigned in the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Russia and even in exotic Bermuda.

"Once again, Blow-By-Blow allows the Filipino fighters to showcase their wares," Pacquiao said after the official weighin on Thursday that was graced by high-ranking boxing officials of the area.

The weekly boxing program gets primetime television coverage every Sunday at 8:30 p.m.

Now entering its second year on prime television, Blow-By-Blow was revived by Pacquiao in November 2022 with a grand launch in General Santos City.

Since its return, Blow-By-Blow has been staged not just in Metro Manila but in the provinces as well, a move that is in line with Pacquiao's vision.

"We will travel the entire country to show Blow-By-Blow and motivate and inspire the youth and likewise do our best to guide them," Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao was the show's premier product as he headlined most of Blow-By-Blow's huge cards during the 1990s.