MORALES DECISIONS MARBUN TO WIN TITLES
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 10 Feb 2008
Tubod, Lanao Del Norte--Local hero Ciso "Kid Terrible" Morales outworked Indonesian Marangin Marbun to keep his unbeaten slate and win the WBO Asia Pacific Youth and WBO Oriental superbantam titles Saturday night in front of some 6,000 fans at the Mindanao Civic Center here.
Morales, who is next slated to see action on March 15 underneath the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez battle, found Marbun to be quite a puzzle in the earlier rounds, but relied on his lateral skills to frustrate the game and tough Marbun en route to a 96-94, 96-94, 97-93 victory.
The fight showcased Morales' skills, but also gave fans a chance to see that he is still a work in progress whose defense can still be improved by long hours of work at the gym.
"Now we see he has the moves, the toughness and the ability, but he also has to go back to the gym and do more work," said promoter Sammy Gello-ani, who partnered with Lemuel "Bobong" Yap to put up the event in cooperation with Gov. Khalid Dimaporo, Congressman Bobby Dimaporo and ex-Gov. Imelda Dimaporo.
The win improved Morales' unbeaten ledger to 10 wins with 6 KO's, while Marbun slipped to 11-4, 5 KO's.
"His handlers plan to bring him to the US for more training. There he will surely be polished," said WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo.
GAB Chairman Eric Buhain and boxing division chief Nasser Cruz witnessed the first-ever major boxing card held in this part of Mindanao.
In the chief support, RP minimumweight champion Denver Cuello scored a knockdown in the second round against Arman De la Cruz, but settled for a draw following a clash of heads in the third that cut both fighters' foreheads.
John Mark Apolinario showed a lot of promise with a sixth-round stoppage of the very durable Isidro Balabat who was downed by a big left to the body.
Donnie Mabao also eked out a majority decision win over Rodel Tejares in a grudge rematch.
Other results: Donryl Marcos by unanimous decision over Rico Genon; Eric Macas by UD over Romnick Rapista; Tiny Tyson stopped Sam Canlom in the third; Roland Teofilo by technical decision over Romano Gelig; Roldan Castrodes by first-round TKO over Jeofil Suminget; and Noel Adelmita by unanimous decision over Deomil Busano.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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