TU?ACAO CAPTURES PHILIPPINE BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 Sep 2008
Mandaue City -- Comebacking former world champion Malcolm 'Eagle Eye' Tu?acao won via split-decision over up-and-coming Monico Laurente to capture the vacant Philippine Bantamweight Title during last night's first installment of the Summit Boxing Tour at the open air Mandaue Public Plaza here.
Tu?acao, fighting in his own backyard and cheered by friends and neighbors, showed his slick-punching ability by out-pointing Laurente most of the night. Tu?acao's left, which was reportedly previously injured, was evidently absent last night as he was seen relying mostly on his right.
Tu?acao's inability to press the action when Laurente appeared to be hurt had dragged the fight that was interrupted by slight rainshowers that made the canvas slippery which caused both fighters to lose their balance several times.
The judges' scores of 115-112, 115-113, 113-114 for a Tu?acao split-decision victory came as a surprise to many. PhilBoxing had it 118-109 for Tu?acao. There were no knockdowns during the fight but Laurente was deducted a point in the 10th round for accidental headbutt.
Tu?acao, who captured a world crown in his 11th professional bout but struggled to get another shot after losing his title to Thailand's Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in 2001, has now upped his win-loss-draw record to 22-2-3 with 15 knockouts. Laurente, fighting out of the Johnny Elorde stable of Para?aque City, has dropped to 7-3-0 1KO.
The Summit Boxing Tour is presented by ALA Promotions in partnership with Summit Natural Drinking Water with next stops scheduled in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Tagbilaran, Bacolod and other cities in Cebu.
Top photo: Malcolm 'Eagle Eye' Tu?acao (R) and Monico Laurente in this bit of action during last night's Philippine Bantamweight Championship fight at the Mandaue Public Plaza in Mandaue City, Cebu. Photo by King Catriz.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Deniega 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 2025Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Donaire awaits WBA order
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract
Tue, 30 Dec 2025Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
Mon, 29 Dec 2025Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Dec 2025Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Dec 2025Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
Sun, 28 Dec 2025