PROMOTER PETER MANIATIS PRAISES TABANAO'S EXCELLENT WIN OVER UNDEFEATED IBRAHIM BALLA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 13 Jun 2016
Tabanao (L).
Multi-awarded Australian promoter Peter Maniatis has praised the performance of young Filipino prospect Neil John Tabanao who scored what Maniatis described as "a massive upset" when he won by a spectacular 3rd TKO over unbeaten former Olympian Ibrahim Balla to win the vacant WBO Oriental featherweight crown last Saturday night at the Bendigo Stadium in Victoria, Australia.
Maniatis, a frequent visitor to Manila and co-manager of flyweight contender Randy "Razor" Petalcorin said Tabano put on "an excellent performance against Balla who was considered one of the next stars of Australian boxing."
He said Tabano is "very strong and a very good boxer."
The Filipino nailed Balla with a vicious left hook to drop him for the first time in round three and then followed up with a terrific uppercut to send the Aussie to the canvas for a second time and although Balla beat the count he was on wobbly legs forcing the referee to call a halt at 1:47 of the round.
With the win the 22 year old Tabanao improved his record to 13-1 with 9 knockouts while Australian champion Balla suffered his first defeat and dropped to 9-1 with 6 knockouts.
Tabanao was coming off a 4th round TKO win in a scheduled ten round bout against veteran Marvin Tampus last September 2015.
Australian Boxing in a pre-fight story said Balla is facing a battle-hardened prospect in Tabanao who has lost only once in thirteen outings, dropping a razor-thin decision to former world title challenger and fellow countryman Randy Braga last year.
The report said Balla (9-0, 6 KOs) "isn?t underestimating the task at hand and understands the capabilities of his opponent.
Balla said ?No fight is ever easy. I?m treating this as a world title fight. I?ve been training hard and I?ve prepared mentally and physically. This guy is a tough competitor, I?m not taking him lightly at all.?
The WBO regional title fight will be only Balla?s second fight at featherweight, having campaigned for the bulk of his professional career at super bantamweight, where he picked up state and national title honours.
When asked on his ability to fight in multiple weight classes, Balla admitted the move up to featherweight has been beneficial to his career, while adding that an eventual world rating is a further incentive to stay put.
Aus-Boxing said "having proudly reigned as an unchallenged Australian champion in two divisions, Balla has proved he is the best in the country. The challenge now is to take that next step and solidify his place as one of our leading new faces.
Balla explained ?I?m comfortable now fighting at featherweight and I?m definitely happy now fighting at this weight. So from here I?m hoping to win this WBO regional title and work my way up to the number one spot. I hope this puts me in the top fifteen in the world in the WBO. I took pride in becoming the Australian champion ? I really see this now a step up from that ? and you will start seeing me taking on the world?s best.?
But Tabanao at least for now, halted the Aussie fighter's dreams.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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