Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 05 Feb 2026
Sumalinog Bros pose with Flores.
DUERO, Bohol -- The promising Sumalinog Brothers, Kevin and Khyl, not only scored exciting knockout wins in their home province of Bohol.
They also got to sign promotional contracts with Fil-Am boxing manager Jose Monty Flores, starting their 2026 year with a double bang.
The young brothers displayed their fighting skills for their Bohol fans on January 17 during the latest boxing show at the Duero Municipal Gym, an event that make fans crave for more.
Battling in the Flyweight division, the unbeaten Kevin Sumalinog (6-0, 2 KOs) of Getafe, Bohol, furiously overpowered Negros Occidental's brave warrior Enecito Jagopar (2-8, 2 KOs), prompting Jagopar's team to call it a fight, as he didn't come out for the second round.
Bohol referee Angelito Piquero raises the hand of winning and unbeaten flyweight Kevin Sumalinog.
The experienced Boholano referee Mr. Angelito Piquero ruled it a TKO in favor of the 23-year-old Kevin Sumalinog, who scored his second stoppage win in six bouts.
Earlier, his brother Khyl Sumalinog (1-0, 1 KO), who fights in the lightweight division, also obliterated his more experienced opponent, Mark Asibal (2-2, 1 KO), for another round-one TKO win.
After a slow start, Khyl picked up the pace, overwhelming the 8-pound heavier Mark Asibal till Boholano third man Melchor Arong waved it off.
In the main event, Joebert Dacullo and Brian Brustillo Fought to an exciting Draw. The referee was Mr. Melchor Arong.
For the main event, fans witnessed the most exciting clash of the evening, as the Sumalinogs' teammate, Joebert Dacullo (5-1-1, 2 KOs), fought to a draw against Brian Bustrillo of Ubay, Bohol.
It was a thrilling, non-stop encounter in which Dacullo and Bustrillo knocked each other down for a thrilling eight-round draw in the Flyweight division.
Scores were 76-76 (twice) and 77-75 for a draw with the referee Melchor Arong of Tagbilaran raising the hands of both boxers.
Dacullo and Bustrillo, both southpaws, did not disappoint the fans in the jam-packed Duero Municipal Gym!
The Empis brothers smile for the cam of Philboxing. Flyweight Daniel Empis lost a hard-fought battle getting a cut on his nose while bantamweight Reggie Empis won his fight.
In a hard-to-score bout, Bohol bantamweight Reggie Empis (1-2, 0 KOs) claimed his first pro win by edging a narrow, hard-fought split decision win over Rodel Casinday (1-1, 1 KO).
Tallies were 39-37 (twice) for Empis and 39-37 for Casinday. It was a fantastic effort by both boxers.
And in the roughest clash of the evening, rookie flyweight Zairus Esito (1-0, 0 KO) stepped with success into pro boxing with a round-four TD (Technical Decision) win over Daniel Empis (0-5, 0 KOs).
It was a clash filled with accidental headbutts, low blows, and a bleeding nose that kept Boholano referee Melchor Arong sweating.
During the tough action of round three, Empis suffered a cut on the bridge of his nose due to an accidental headbutt.
That same round, Esito was deducted a point because of his repeated seemingly intentional low blows.
The Esito vs. Empis fight was stopped during the action of the fourth and final round because of the advice of ring physician Dr. Cagulada, as Empis was bleeding profusely.
The entertaining evening of boxing was supervised by Mr. Jimmy Dondon of the Games and Amusement Board, with the medical supervision of Bohol ring physician Dr. Arnold Joseph P. Cagulada in a promotion of Bohol man of boxing Mr. Gerald Salamaña.
In attendance during the event were Munisipyo sa Duero Mayor Hon. Al Taculad, his right hand man Mr. Dennis Balbin, and Duero Councilor Mr. Christopher "Chris" Salaan.
THE SUMALINOG BROTHERS AND JOEBERT DACULLO SIGN WITH FIL-AM MANAGER JOSE MONTY FLORES
After the fights were over, brothers Kevin and Khyl Sumalinog, together with their teammate Joebert Dacullo, signed a promotional contract with Fil-Am boxing manager Jose Monty Flores of Los Angeles, California.
From L to R. Manager Jose Monty Flores, Lightweight Boxer Khyl Sumalinog, Duero Mayor Hon. Al Taculad and Duero Concilor Christopher Salaan.
The signing of contracts unfolded at the Casa Duero Bed & Breakfast Guesthouse on January 17, with the presence of much-respected and appreciated Cebu coach Brix Flores (1986 Asian Games medalist).
Also taking part were boxing manager Jose Monty Flores, whose father was the Filipino lawyer instrumental in the promotion of the legendary "Thrilla in Manila" on October 1, 1975.
The young boxers were willing to be guided by Mr. Flores, formalizing with him their boxers-manager relationship.
Mr. Jimmy Dondon of the GAB supervised the signing of contracts for the Filipino government.
All parties agreed and signed the legal agreements, which all hope will be for the benefit of these young Boholano boxers and Filipino boxing at large.
Photos by Carlos Costa for Philboxing.
The author is veteran boxing reporter Carlos Costa of Cebu. carlos@philboxing.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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