ARQ Stable stalwart April Jay Astroboy Abne faces another tough test in his fistic career as he trades blows with the world-ranked Jesse Little Giant Espinas for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Asia flyweight crown in the main event of Bugbugan sa Abra:Tapatan ng Kampeon fight card presented by Solid North Sports Promotions today (Sunday, October 12) at the University of Abra s Gov. Andres B. Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Bangued.
Abne will see action for the first time in seven months. He hasn t fought since fighting to a majority draw with Anthony Gilbuela last March 8 in Cawayan, Masbate.
The 26-year-old brawler from Manticao, Misamis Oriental hopes to shake off the rust he may have had from his long layoff as he shoots for his second regional belt. He once reigned as the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Silver flyweight champion back in 2023.
Abne holds a 15-1-1 win-loss-draw record with six knockouts, while the Ozamiz City-native Espinas sports a 24-7 card with 14KOs.
It s an uphill battle ahead for Abne against the World Boxing Organization No.7 contender Espinas, who once held the WBC Asia super flyweight, WBO Oriental light flyweight, OPBF light flyweight, and ABF minimumweight titles.
The rest of the slam-bang show backstopped by Abra Lone District Rep. Joseph Sto. Ni o JB Bernos features Romer Pinili vs Eduardo Mancito, Bimboy Ibunes vs Raymond Bangquiao, Editho Embrado vs Gian Villanueva, and Rolymhar Napase vs Mark Anthony Agbay.