APOL SUICO KO’D IN FIRST ROUND
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 30 Sep 2007
Filipino challenger Apol Suico was knocked out in a mere 38 seconds of the first round by South African champion Moruti Mthalane in a clash for the vacant WBC International flyweight title in Johannesburg, Saturday night.
Fight fans at the Park Station venue hardly had time to warm their seats when Mthalane hammered Suico with two cracking rights to put him on the canvas. Although the Filipino complained of a low blow veteran referee Daniel van der Wiele said the blow grazed Suico’s trunks and did no damage.
Super Boxing reported that a few seconds later Mthalane “moved Suico into a corner, measured the distance with his left and landed the knockout blows with the right.”
Well known boxing writer Ron Jackson had earlier downplayed Suico’s chances noting that Mthalane whose record improved to 20-1 with 14 knockouts is one of South Africa’s most talented fighters and is ranked No. 30 by the WBC whereas Suico whose record is reported to be 10-1 with 6 knockouts will be fighting for the first time outside his home country and Mthalane will be “his first quality opponent.”
It was pointed out that “most of his (Suico’s) opponents have lost more fights than they have won and his No. 40 ranking on the WBC list also does not make his chances against Mthalane look particularly good.”
The super fit South African who looked impressive in his last three fights was expected to win inside the distance and did so in dramatic fashion prompting Super Boxing to state that Suico is “certainly going nowhere in professional boxing.”
Suico was the third boxer from the Rex “Wakee” Salud stable to lose this past week in South Africa. JR Sollano was badly beaten by WBC International lightweight champion Ali Funeka losing by a fourth round TKO while Alex Aroy dropped a controversial sixth round decision to Zukisani Kwayiba when a sudden power failure before the start of the seventh round forced the officials to go to the judges scorecards.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025