The Monte Gordo Casino is the venue for the biggest boxing match the Algarve has seen for decades tonight (Friday). That top billing goes to the ten-round Portuguese 63,5kg title fight between Antonio Bento “Algarvio” and Nuno “O Guerreiro do Norte” Cruz.
Both men are of the same age and weight and have been national amateur champions – this is their first professional meeting since being part of the same golden World Amateur Championships team in the late 1990s. Bento has since gone on to claim IBF, WBA and WBC Intercontinental belts on several occasions while Cruz has fought in the Hispanic World Championships.
The clash, a recording of which will be shown on SPORT TV next Tuesday or Wednesday, is the highlight of a six bout card also featuring the Algarve’s Rui Briceno (Thai boxing world champion), Andreia Inacio, Tiago Teixeira and Marina “The Princess” Zueva who holds a women’s Thai boxing world title.
Later on next year, between October 21 and 24, Portimão has been chosen to host the Shotokan Karate World Championships further enhancing the city’s status as a major sporting venue.
