ROMERO DUNO LIVES UP TO GOLDEN BOY?S EXPECTATIONS
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 28 Jan 2018
The Fabulous Forum, Inglewood, CA:- It?s getting more and more apparent that Golden Boy?s Roberto Garcia made a fantastic gamble with Sanman Promotions? rising star Romero Duno.
Duno was an unknown fighter outside of the reaches of Sanman Promotions, a young budding promotional company led by two young promoters, JC Manangquil and Dexter Tan of General Santos City, down south in Mindanao. But he has a respectable record and was a right match for any lightweight whose career is being nurtured by any manager and promoter.
Duno was 12-1-0, 7KO when Golden Boy came calling looking for a decent fighter that is good but an easy target for a budding lightweight they were grooming for a championship fight in a year or two. His name is Christian ?Chimpa? Gonzales. The young Gonzales who grew up in the greater Los Angeles area was then undefeated and had knocked out 14 of his 16 opponents.
Sanman Promotions offered Golden Boy their brightest lightweight prospect, Romero Duno to challenge Gonzales with the winner getting the WBC Youth Intercontinental Belt. Golden Boy readily accepted perhaps thinking that Gonzalez will have no problem taking care of Duno. Besides, Gonzalez will have his hometown crowd at his favorite venue, the famed old Belasco Theater in downtown LA.
But alas, it was not the night for Gonzalez!
Duno who was trained in LA by Rodel Mayol and Stanley Godinez was fighting for the first time in California. The crowd at the Belasco was loud and rowdy, waving the Mexican flag and declaring Gonzalez their champion.
Then the fight started with Gonzalez trying to impose his size. He was coming straight to Duno with his heavy artillery but for some reason forgot to bring his famed jab with him to set up his punches. He just wanted to knock Duno out bright and early. During a torrid exchanged he dropped his left hand and Duno quickly threw a short right counter punch dropping Gonzalez to the surprise of the pro-Gonzales TV commentators and the hometown crowd. Gonzales beat the count but his legs were rubbery and he sagged towards the ropes. Lucky for him, the bell save him from being KO?d early. When round two started, Gonzalez tried his best to get Duno but the Duno stayed away and waited for another opportunity. When that came he dropped Gonzales again. Gonzales stood up but later collapse in his corner!
Seeing the potentials of Romero Duno, Roberto Garcia of Golden Boy Promotions did not hesitate and readily signed up Duno to a promotional contract.
Following the Gonzales victory, Duno scored three more wins. He knocked out Jason Tinampay at a fight card in General Santos City in June of 2017 and won via a UD over a highly regarded Juan Pablo Sanchez of Mexico at the Forum in Inglewood last September.
His third win was tonight again, at The Forum.
Now fighting with a different mind set and attitude and buoyed by the excellent guidance of Rodel Mayol and Stanley Godinez, Duno scored another scintillating win over Yardley Armenta Cruz (22-10-,12KO) of Mexico. Filipinos best know Armenta Cruz via his first round KO loss to Mark Magsayo of the famed ALA Gym in Cebu.
Duno beat Armenta Cruz via knockout in less than one round. With the win he is now 16-1-0,14KO.
With another huge victory tucked in his belt, Golden Boy Promotions is now set to bring him more to the limelight.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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