CANOY IS NEW WBO ORIENTAL FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION! (WITH PHOTOS)
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 25 Feb 2008
ZAMBOANGA CITY--Undefeated Eric Canoy of the Erbie Fabian Stable preserved his unbeaten run in winning the WBO Oriental featherweight title with a ninth-round technical knockout victory over Tanzanian Rajabu Maoja on Saturday evening in front of about 8,000 rabid fans at the Zamboanga City Coliseum.
Comfortably ahead on judges' scorecards, the 30-year-old Canoy delivered the left-right coup de grace that sent Maoja on all fours for good at the 1:17 mark of the ninth round, sending the boisterous crowd into a frenzy as they welcomed Zamboanga's first-ever WBO title holder.
The victory thus upped Canoy's ledger to 7 wins with 5 KO's, and gave him a solid ticket to big-money fights in the near future.
"We are just so happy for this win. The people have been longing for something like this to happen in our city, and tonight we got it. This is unbelievable," said an ecstatic Congressman Erbie Fabian, who was at special ringside with Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat and WBO Asia Pacific Chairman Leon Panoncillo.
Canoy, who once defeated Olympic gold medallist Somluck Kamsing of Thailand in their amateur days, started hot right at the get-go, sending Maoja down in the opening round with a big body shot. Near the end of the fourth, the local fighter tagged the visitor with yet another big shot to the jaw, sending the latter starry-eyed on the way to his corner.
A point was taken off Canoy in the fifth by referee Bruce McTavish for repeatedly delivering rabbit punches at the back of Maoja's head, but this did not matter anyway as he had been leading by a mile and it was just a matter of time before he halted Maoja.
Promoter Sammy Gello-ani of SGG Sports and Promotions said that he will try to arrange a fight for Canoy in one of the future bouts in Las Vegas under the Golden Boy Promotions banner, although Fabian is also mulling on a May non-title battle and a September outing for his new champ against a Mexican slugger.
In the chief support, John Mark Apolinario of the Mayor Jojo Lopez Stable escaped defeat by the skin of his teeth with a split decision verdict over tough-as-nails Brix Bomb Ray to the chagrin of the crowd. The victory allowed Apolinario to preserve his unbeaten mark and a possible improvement in his GAB ratings.
Joy Trojello of Maasim, Sarangani figured in a street brawl with pure warrior Tata Ponce in what was the night's most-applauded fight. Trojello was declared the winner by TKO at the end of the first round after the ringside physican disallowed Ponce to continue, although the first-round action could very well be Round of the Year candidate.
Bimbo Nacionales of Maasim, Sarangani also showed his vast potential with a blitzkrieg stoppage in the second round over Tiny Rojas.
Felix Tanamor edged out Marlon Paduga in just one round of their near-fatal clash; Marlon Canoy stopped Richie Duay also in the first round; Marvin Mabait showed no mercy in stopping Ramil Cabalan in the opening round; John Rey Gaspar halted Andelo Andajar in the third; Richard Pasaylo won by majority decision over Ronnie Samiao; Roldan Castrodes kayoed Ferdinand Malinao in one; Junjun Cantao poleaxed Richgold Crisologo in the opening round; while Noel Adelmita took a split decision verdict over Jun Egot.
NOTES, AND MORE NOTES. Last night's show was another feather in the cap for promoter Sammy Gello-ani, who a few weeks ago also successfully staged the huge event in Tubod, Lanao del Norte with businessman Bong Yap...Viva Hotbabe Carla Samonte proved to be the prettiest and sexiest round girl thus far in boxing. She clearly can outshine any round card girl in Manila and elsewhere, and she proved to be quite a hit among guys who enjoyed their photo-op with the lovely young girl. I heard her next stop will be Thailand, where she'll spend her short vacation ..Kudos to Congressman Erbie Fabian for a job very well done. Zamboanga is well on its way to becoming the sports capital of Mindanao...Special thanks to Banco Filipino's Pilarica Ledesma and son Ronald for taking us around the city and for the great lunch at a seafood resto whose signage i couldn't read...I don't know about you, but I think Jojo Lopez Stable has some of the best-kept talents in boxing...
PHOTOS:
Canoy staggers Maoja.
Canoy's left smacks on Maoja's face.
Maoja sneaks in a left to Canoy's head.
The ring physician attends on Maoja who lies flat on his back after being knocked out by Canoy in the 9th round.
Referee Bruce McTavish (R) raises Canoy's hands in victory as WBO Vice-President Leon Panoncillo puts on the championship belt to Canoy's waist.
From left, Congressman Erbie Fabian, WBO Vice-President Leon Panoncillo, Canoy, Zamboanga City mayor Celso Lobregat, McTavish and SGG Promotions Samson Gello-ani.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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