Julaton all set to defend women's 122lb title against Argentine foe

Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton is confident and determined to defend her World Boxing Organization (WBO) women's super bantamweight belt opposite Yesica "La Leona" Marcos on Friday (Saturday PHL time) in San Martin, Argentina. GMA Network will air the bout, dubbed "Laban ng Lahi Giyera sa Argentina: Ana Julaton vs. Yesica Marcos" on Sunday at 11:00 AM. Three-time world champion Julaton, recalling reigning interim International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight titlist Johnriel Casimero's post-fight experience in Argentina, said she was saddened when an angry Argentinian crowd attacked the corner of the Ormoc City-born fighter. "It was a surprising and terrible incident that unfortunately resulted in a dark reflection of Argentina. However, I need to treat this as an isolated case as it happened in an area different from where my fight against Yesica Marcos will be held. As a champion, I cannot let this incident distract me from my responsibility of keeping my title," said Julaton, who vowed to put on her strongest performance. Marcos, 25, holds an immaculate 18-0 record with six knockouts against Julaton's 10-2-1 win-loss-draw card (1 KO). Still, the 31-year-old Filipino-American fighter remains unfazed by her opponent, who, as an amateur became a three-time Golden Gloves champion. "The competition is fierce but I naturally train and perform well under such circumstances. I have fought other world champions with more experience than me and Marcos' record doesn't faze me," Julaton said. "I have learned to treat all my fights with the same attention and intensity. I expect to fight under extreme circumstances and have endured such," she added. Julaton is fresh from a unanimous decision victory against Mexican Jessica Villafranca. — JVP, GMA News