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:
World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Wed, 07 Jan 2026Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
Wed, 07 Jan 2026Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 05 Jan 2026SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 05 Jan 202687th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 05 Jan 2026Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 02 Jan 2026Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
Fri, 02 Jan 2026Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
Thu, 01 Jan 2026Lover Boy on hot streak
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
Wed, 31 Dec 2025