GABUNILAS DESTROYS HULU IN 6, CAPTURES WBO YOUTH TITLE
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 24 Mar 2023
Talisay City, Cebu -- Popular local boxer John Paul Cabunilas tamed and broke down tough and sturdy Wandi Priman Hulu of Indonesia to force the referee to stop the fight in the 6th round to prevent further damage to the Indonesian during the 'Enkwentro 9' boxing event at the Talisay City Sports Center Friday evening promoted ARQ Boxing Promotions. Cabunilas is now the new WBO Youth Light Flyweight champion and hopes to land himself in the world rankings.
Cabunilas made good use of his height and reach advantage to take control of the fight from the get go peppering Hulu with his stinging jabs and combinations to the head and body. Hulu whose haymakers appeared to be his main weapon, could not penetrate Cabunilas' sleek footwork and solid defensive stance.
From the third round onward, as Hulu failed to connect his haymakers he became target practice from Gabunilas's precise jabs, hooks to the body and zooming straights to the head. The solidly built Hulu started to wear down from the 4th round as the punishment he received took its toll and, after being the aggressor earlier in the fight, began to retreat and later, just trying to survive.
Smelling blood, Gabunilas pursued Hulu all over the ring like a hunter on the verge of capturing his prey. In the sixth round, as Hulu was cornered in the red corner, Gabunilas unleashed a barrage of unanswered punches to the head and body forcing Referee Rey Caitom to intervene and stop the fight awarding Gabunilas a methodical TKO victory in the sixth round.
Gabunilas has improved his record to ten wins with one loss and now looks forward to new challenges to further his boxing career.
In the featured undercard, undefeated flyweight Ramil Macado Jr improved his record to 6-0-0, 2KOs with a dominant win over Francis Jay Diaz (8-5-1, 1KOss) over 10 rounds. Scores: 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 in favor of Macado Jr.
Unbeaten flyweight Berland Robles defeated Ariston Aton by unanimous decision over eight rounds and improved to 8-0-0, 3KOs. Scores: 79-72, 78-73, 78-73 for Robles.
In a 8-round scheduled super featherweight battle, Rhonvex Capuloy stopped hugely overweight Junrel Jimenez in the 4th round. Capuloy is now 10-2-1 with 7KOs while Jimenez has dropped to 9-3-1, 5KOs.
Angelus Pilapil of Talisay City won his debut with a first round knockout win over Dee-Jay Galleposo of Zamboanga.
In the curtain raiser, Marco Pumar won by unanimous decision over Anthony Galigao.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
LAS VEGAS FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS MILLER AND PERO COLLIDE IN WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR – LIVE ON DAZN
Fri, 24 Apr 2026Undefeated Knockout Artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones Headlines First-Ever DAZN Card Against Former World Champion Vincenzo “Il Capo” Gualtieri
Fri, 24 Apr 2026Mexican female stars Mayelli Flores and Irma ¨Torbellino¨ Garcia sign with MVP
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Basil to fight Britanico on April 26 in Delpan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Race briefing of Mt. Apo Boulder Face on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Camigue fights in Tanzania on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Team USA Captures Three More Wins on Day Three at World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
Fri, 24 Apr 20261,400 runners in Sagisag Davao Leg
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026The Marvelous Cup Invitational tourney set
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing!
By Ralph Rimpell, Thu, 23 Apr 2026All Star Boxing Announces 'Clash of the Unbeaten' on May 22nd In Panama
Thu, 23 Apr 2026Oliver Laroya Chess Tournament on April 25
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 23 Apr 2026Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25
Thu, 23 Apr 2026WBC WORLD CHAMPION DALTON SMITH SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM BOXING
Thu, 23 Apr 2026