WAR IN MINDANAO THEME OF WBC TITLE FIGHT

Koronadal, South Cotabato, Nov. 20, 1997 - The championship fight between World Boxing featherweight title holder Luisito Espinosa of the Philippines and challenger Carlos Rios of Argentina will be held at the football field of the South Cotabato Sports Complex on December 6. It is the first world championship boxing match to be held in Mindanao.

South Cotabato Governor Hilario de Pedro proudly shows off posters with the catchy slogan "War in Mindanao" which was chosen as the theme in view of Mindanao's image as a real- life war zone.

Jesus Pring, aide of Governor de Pedro, said they did not want to use the word "battle" because the three past world fights which used the word : Battle of Manila Bay part 1 and part 2, Battle in Mactan were not commercially successful.

"Baka sa war ay suwertihin na," Pring added.