BOBBY PACQUIAO WINS WBO ASIA PACIFIC CROWN
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 04 Aug 2008
CEBU CITY--Bobby "The Sniper" Pacquiao was back in his old deadly form with an 8th-round knockout victory over Thailand's Decho Bankluaygym to win the prestigious WBO Asia Pacific lightweight crown at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel on Saturday evening.
Pacquiao initially found the Thai a bit of a puzzle, but after making the necessary adjustments scored the first knockdown in the sixth stanza before stamping the coup de grace with a beautiful left in the eighth round to finally halt the visiting fighter at the 2:27 mark of the round.
"He looked good tonight. I'm impressed," said GAB Chairman Eric Buhain, who awarded the championship belt on Pacquiao with WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo looking on approvingly.
Promoter Rex 'Wakee' Salud, who put up the show with superstar Manny Pacquiao's MP Promotions, said that Bobby Pacquiao is now slated to defend his new title sometime in October or November in Dubai, UAE.
Dionesia Pacquiao, who was at ringside praying the rosary while shouting instructions to his son, was ecstatic over Bobby's win.
"I am very happy he won this WBO title. This means so much to his career. I thank the Lord for this win," the Pacquiao matriarch told the media after the fight.
In the chief support, OPBF bantam champ Rolly (Lunas) Matsushita defended his title with a unanimous decision verdict over Kaonah Khlongphajol.
Marvin Tampus prevailed on a 7th-round disqulification over Eric Barcelona after repeated low blows by the latter rendered Tampus unable to continue.
Mexican David "Peligroso" Rodela, a favorite sparmate of superstar Manny Pacquiao, blasted away Filipino Arnel Porras in the third round of a scheduled 10-rounder.
A single body shot took Porras' breath away as he crumpled to the canvas unable to continue.
Fighting doctor JV Tuazon of New Jersey looked like the winner although he was awarded a majority draw with Jarol Rosales; Jaime Barcelona decisioned Darryl Pucdol; Jetli Purisima decisioned Roilo Golez; Mark Anthony Geraldo stopped Israel Sapu Salud in the first; Ryan Tampus stopped Ghing Daculiat in the opening round; and William Jorge decisioned Marlon Alta.
Top photo: Bobby Pacquiao (R) puts his Thai opponent Decho Bankluaygym on the defensive in this bit of action during their WBO Oriental lightweight title fight last Saturday at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City in which Pacquiao won by KO in the 8th round.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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