MATEO 鈥淲aray Warrior鈥� Handig will face his biggest test so far when he takes on WBC minimumweight champion Katsunari Takayama on September for the top spot in the 105lb division of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) at the Baguio Convention Center in Baguio City.
The 22-year-old Baguio native Handig (12W-5L-0D, 7 KOs) hopes to take advantage of fighting on home soil against the聽 29-year-old Japanese Takayama (24W-5L-0D, 10 KOs), who is fighting under ALA Boxing Promotions.
Both will engage in 12-round brawl for the number one position in their division.
Handig is considered an underdog against th battle-tested Takayama.
鈥淲e are hoping that our boxer will triumph [to fulfill] his quest of becoming a future champion,鈥澛� said Brico Santig, Handig鈥檚 promoter from the Highlands Boxing Promotions of La Trinidad, Benguet.
Despite being the underdog, Handig has something going his way as he is in the middle of a four-bout winning streak.
But Santig said that doesn鈥檛 really matter since his boxer鈥檚 last four opponents weren鈥檛 quality contenders as they combined聽 for a dismal 3W-29L-1D record.
But Takayama has his own set of struggles. He was derailed twice in his bid for the IBF minimumweight title against South African Nkosinathi Joyi.
Meanwhile, the upcoming bout will also be a huge break for Santig as a small time promoter after he won the rights of promoting the match.
Santig said he is planning to stage the fight either on the 15th or 22nd of September as part of the Baguio City Charter Anniversary Month. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL