(Trench Tech) — In what will be the “shinarpest” main event in Marianas combat sports history, two of Asia-Pacific’s elite warriors will trade punches at the top of the card of Trench Tech’s Ring of Fire III on Memorial Day weekend at the Garapan Central Park Roundhouse. The event promises to be an action-filled night with boxing and kickboxing matches being the belle of the ball. Headlining the event will be a dream match for many of the CNMI’s MMA fans as homegrown hero Frank “The Crank” Camacho steps up to face the legendary Brandon “The Truth” Vera, coming out of retirement for one night only in a limitless boxing match.
According to Trench Tech president Justis “Cuki” Alvarez and Camacho himself, the two fighters were instrumental in each other’s careers as both trained together in Camacho’s early years. Camacho says, “I first met Brandon when I was training for Master Lloyd Irvin’s camp in Maryland. I ended up becoming his sparring partner, and we became friends from there.” “Yeah, Frank and I would communicate and he would tell all the techniques he and Vera learned side by side which in turn made them both formidable fighters both in the ring, cage and on the mat,” Alvarez said.
In a phone interview with Vera, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship superstar and inaugural ONE Heavyweight Champion said, “I admired how dedicated Frank was to being the best fighter he could be and in turn put Saipan on the map. Every round we sparred together pushed the both of us to the limit.”
The fight has a unique twist as Alvarez mentioned that this will be held under “Last Man Standing” rules. According to the promoter, “It will be held where there will be unlimited rounds, as opposed to the usual three or five rounds for our events.”
There will also be no weight limit as both fighters are used to competing in different classes. Camacho as a welterweight, and Vera at either the light heavyweight or heavyweight division. Alvarez also mentioned that aside from any unforeseen circumstances, there will also be no technical knockouts or any standing counts from the referee. “The only way to win this fight is to completely incapacitate your opponent where they cannot answer the count of ten. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO EXCUSE!” he went on to state.
Vera, who has spent the last several years retired from fighting coaching and training prospective fighters says his reason for fighting Camacho was simple. “In the time we’ve known each other, I’ve always wanted to see who was the better fighter between the two of us.”, he said. Vera then added, “Frank is a tough fighter, but I know his weaknesses. From our time training, I learned the flaws in his game just as much as his strengths, and I will use that knowledge to beat him in front of his wife, kids and his friends and family.”
When told of Vera’s remarks, Camacho rebutted, “Oh?! He said he’s going to beat me in my hometown? Not even par!” Despite acknowledging Vera’s ability to fight physically and methodically when going bell to bell together with dangerous striking ability due to his Muay Thai training, “The Crank” mentioned his explosive punching power will ultimately carry him to victory. “Yeah, I’ve been beat around in sparring, and yes I’ve lost fights in my career, but I don’t back down.” Citing that he is undefeated in the CNMI and aware of the talent that Vera possesses, he said, “He may be bigger, probably a better tactician, but when the going gets rough, Brandon is going to know that my focus to win is just as “shinarp” as my knives.”
Trench Tech Director of Combat Initiation L.J. Castro said, “This is not just a dream match because of the fighters involved, it’s a dream match because it will be a battle of contrasting styles on the part of those fighters, Camacho’s will vs. Vera’s skill.” He expects that this will go on past the point of exhaustion. “Unlimited rounds, knockout only, hell I wouldn’t be surprised if they punched themselves out. They both share the same goal: they will not leave the Roundhouse without a win.”
Ring of Fire III will go down on Saturday, May 24. Doors will open at 4 p.m., with a 5 p.m. bell time. The event is sponsored by Miller Lite, Monster Energy, Century Hotel and Hafa Adai Rent-a-Car. Tickets are $25 in advance, and are available at Boarderline, the Trench Tech Gym, and 4EVER CNMI. Alvarez advises fight fans to get their tickets while they last because he expects a near sellout crowd on fight night. He also mentioned, “Although Ring of Fire III is for real, the main event is not.
Happy April Fools Day Marianas!
About Trench Tech
Trench Tech is a premier combat sports promotion based in the Northern Marianas, dedicated to showcasing elite fighters and bringing world-class events to the region. With a reputation for delivering action-packed fight cards and unforgettable moments, Trench Tech continues to grow as a powerhouse in the world of mixed martial arts.
