John Michael Zulueta Retains ABF 108 Belt with TKO Win in Thailand (Fight Photos)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 28 Apr 2023
BANGKOK, Thailand -- World-ranked Filipino Light Flyweight "The Striker" John Michael Zulueta (15-0-3, 8 KO's) stalked, dropped and knocked out in 10 frames brave Indonesian veteran Silem Serang, 33, to successfully retain his ABF Light Flyweight Title Thursday, April 27, at the plus SpacePlus Night Club in Bangkok, Thailand.
From the get-go, the 27-year-old Bacolod-native made good use of his superior fighting skills and speed in dominating the strong Indonesian, outsmarting him in most of the skirmishes throughout the televised action clash.
Early in the war, a non-intentional clash of heads opened a cut on Zulueta's right eyebrow, from where the Filipino instantly bled, blood flowing down on the right side of his face.
Skillfully, Zuleta's coach former fighter Jomar Fajardo of Iloilo performed a fantastic work controlling the cut while providing sound fighting advice to his boxer.
The battle raged on with Zulueta in command, dishing out fast, refined combinations from the mid-range, which landed on target with power, rapidly reducing Serang's stamina.
The iron-made Indonesian continued absorbing leather till nearly the end of hostilities, when he got brutally rocked and harshly floored by the furious fists of world-ranked Pinoy warrior born in the lovely Probinsya of Negros Occidental.
The fall was bad enough for experienced Thai third man Mr. Worawuth Duankhao to wave the fight off while Serang still down flat on the canvas.
Wearing the words "Munjo Guanzon" on his magenta with white boxing trunks (in honor of former GAB Chairman Mr. Juan Ramon Guanzon), John Michael "The Striker" Zulueta claimed victory by way of TKO at the 1:08 seconds mark in chapter 10.
Visayan 108-pounder John Michael Zulueta Retains his ABF Belt with TKO Triumph April 27 in Thailand.
ABF President Mr. Naris Singwancha of Thailand raised the hand of the victorious Filipino, strapping his ABF Champion belt around his waist. Present during the show was Royal Thai Army Major General Damrong Simakajornboon.
After this stoppage win, it is likely that John Michael Zulueta might improve his standing in the world-rankings. The undefeated Visaya warrior is currently in the world rankings of the WBA and the IBF.
Zulueta's win was part of the exciting 11-bout boxing show produced by Promoters Brico Santig and Supanat Chanram of Highland Boxing show, staged at the plus SpacePlus Night Club in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand.
The author, veteran reporter Carlos Costa, can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com, and whatsapp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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