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:
Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering team to the championship of the Oliver Laroya 3x3 (Tatluhan) Rapid Chess Team Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 26 Apr 2026Simona Winkler, Salim Ellis-Bey and Noelle Haro Advance to Medal Rounds At 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
Sun, 26 Apr 2026Sanman 100 Official Weigh-In Results from General Santos
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Subkhankulov stops Usmonov, Agrba wins hard test, and Aminova claims WBA Asia title at IBA.PRO 17 in Ufa
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Pero vs Miller: Heavies Collide in Prove it fight on DAZN
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Apr 2026Subkhankulov Stops Usmonov in Russia, Claims IBF No. 2 Spot at Lightweight
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Yeow Ming to fight in Bangkok for ABF title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 25 Apr 2026MILLER VS. PERO - WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
Sat, 25 Apr 2026IBA Pro Champions Night to feature world champions in Saint Petersburg
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Noelle Haro and Marie Rosendo Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Four of 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
Sat, 25 Apr 2026Bautista to face Dulayba at Okada on April 30
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 25 Apr 2026LAS 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 2026