TABANAO LOSES ORIENTAL FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE TO UNBEATEN DOGBOE OF GHANA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 28 Aug 2016
Filipino Neil John Tabanao has lost his WBO Oriental featherweight title to unbeaten WBO African featherweight champion Isaac Dogboe who also grabbed the WBC Youth title with a gritty unanimous decision over the WBO No. 15 ranked Filipino before a huge crowd at the Police Officers Social and Fitness Center in Accra, Ghana.
David Finger reported that it was Dogboe's "first major test against a world class contender and the Ghana boxer passed with flying colours. It was a competitive, back-and forth war highlighted by Dogboe's defensive prowess and Tabanao's toughness and aggression" but ultimately the slick defense of Dogboe and effective counter-punching even though he hurt his left hand after throwing a left hook in the 5th round which hampered his punching power in the later rounds.
All three judges scored the fight for Dogboe who won by a 120-109 shutout on one judge's scorecard and 119-110 and 117-113 on the other two.
The fight which was televised on Ghana TV gave fight fans outside of Africa a chance to see one of the hottest prospects with the 21 year old Dogboe bringing his unbeaten record to 15-0 with 9 knockouts and according to ringside reports he looks ready to take on featherweight champion Oscar Valdez in the near future.
With the loss Tabanao dropped to 13-2 with 9 knockouts.
He had won the vacant WBO Oriental title with a 3rd round TKO over Ibrahim Balla last June 11 after scoring a 4th round knockout of 53 fight veteran Marvin Tampus who had 27 wins with 18 knockouts.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Year Ends With a BANG
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 30 Nov 2024Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai: Birmingham Barnburner
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 30 Nov 2024Experience gain from competition - Lim
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 30 Nov 2024EDWARDS VS. YAFAI WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 30 Nov 2024Victory for Swedish Boxer Genti Morina in Professional Debut – A Dominant Performance in Copenhagen
Sat, 30 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 287: RYAN GARCIA FACES RUKIYA ANPO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE BUT NO GO SIGNAL FROM GOLDEN BOY YET
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 29 Nov 2024Gaballo to fight again on Dec. 18 in Bula
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 202432nd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships: Team Philippines wraps up successful campaign with 2 golds and 1 bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 29 Nov 2024EDWARDS VS. YAFAI + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 29 Nov 2024Some boxers have no golds at stake
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 2024YAFAI: I'VE GOT MORE CHANCE OF KNOCKING HIM OUT
Fri, 29 Nov 2024DC jiu jitsu, lawn tennis bags 8 medals in BP
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 29 Nov 2024Three Pinoy Fighters in Crucial Bouts This December
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 28 Nov 2024Camp Notes: Oscar Valdez & Emanuel Navarrete Prepared for Phoenix Firefight on December 7 LIVE on ESPN
Thu, 28 Nov 2024Mabuhay at Salamat: Long Live and Thanks
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 28 Nov 2024