30 March 2016 – The Philippines and Russia continued its sports cooperation and exchanges with a main event boxing match in Moscow on March 18.  The main event for the evening saw Filipino boxer Jheritz “Goodboy” Chavez pitted against Russia’s Vahe Sarukhanyan for the Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council (EPBC) lightweight title.

The EPBC is affiliated with the World Boxing Council and was established to work with bona fide promoters and related national sports authorities to broaden the gateway for the most qualified boxers representing the Eastern hemisphere towards challenging world championship titles. 

In a match that lasted the full ten rounds, Russia’s Sarukhan bested Chavez by unanimous decision.

“Jheritz put up a very good fight, showed great technique and experience.  I would like to think that it was a close fight,” said Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta after the fight. The Ambassador was at ringside to cheer on Chavez together with officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Moscow.

The boxing event was organized by Punch Boxing Promotions which is headed by veteran promoter Aram Davtyan as part of a series of matches titled "Fight For The Future."

“Mr. Davtyan and I agreed that we will continue to work together to bring Filipino boxers to compete in Russia.  He believes as I do that Filipino boxers are world class and present the best challenges for Russian boxers,” according to Ambassador Sorreta.  Punch Boxing Promotions had previously brought Filipino boxers to Russia to fight Russian boxers. END