Natuplag, Montano win by KO in Dubai
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 15 Nov 2022
KJ “The Ipugo” Natuplag of Ifugao scored a devastating knockout over Boonrueang Phayom of Thailand in the 2nd round to win the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental featherweight title last November 12 at the VIC Sports Complex in Dubai.
The 26-year-old Natuplag landed his punches to the face and the body alternately in the 2nd round.
“We really plan it from the body and head. Our target will alternate with the head and body to knock him down,” said Natuplag.
Phayom, 23, fell down to the canvas as the referee also helped him while Natuplag cried for victory.
“I am very happy because this is my dream to enter the world rating and compete in the world championship,” said Natuplag.
Natuplag, who posted his 11 wins with 10 knockouts against three loses and two draws, is expected to enter the world ratings. Phayom suffered his only second setback against 10 wins all by knockout.
Natuplag said that he really improved while training in Dubai for more than a year now.
Meanwhile, Joepher “El Gwapito” Montano scored a knockout against Kulbir Dhaka of India in the 9th round to win the vacant WBO Oriental welterweight title.
Montano connected left and right punches for a knockdown that almost sent Dhaka outside the ring in the early 9th round.
But when the fight resumed, it was all Montano showed as Dhaka was again hit by Montano’s flurry of punches.
This forced the referee Surat Soikrachang to stop the fight.
The 26-year-old Montano of Davao City improved his record to 13 wins with 12 knockouts against five loses and two draws while Dhaka suffered his second loss against six wins.
Montano earlier stopped Ari Agustian of Indonesia in the 1st round to win the Asian Boxing Federation super lightweight title last June 24 at VIC Gym.
Photo: KJ “The Ipugo” Natuplag (3rd from left) with WBO supervisor Leon Panoncillo (2nd left).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.
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