FILIPINO BOXERS FAVORED IN WBO TITLE FIGHTS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 04 Oct 2008
Marvin Sonsona.
Filipino boxers Ramie Laput and Fernando Lumacad were favored over their Thai opponents in back-to-back WBO Asia Pacific title fights in Naga, Cebu on Saturday especially after both Thai contenders had to shed off excess weight during the official weigh-in at the GAB office in Cebu.
Veteran Ramie Laput came in one pound under the super bantamweight limit of 122 pounds but Mongkolchai Singmanasak?s first trio to the scales had him check in at 123. However, after less than an hour he was able to make the weight.
Laput, an excellent boxer with a record of 32-3, 17 KO?s should prove too good for Mongkolchai (21-11, 8 KO?s) in their twelve round battle for the WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight title in the featured bout in ?Saga in Naga? staged by well-known promoter Sammy Gello-ani with the cooperation of Viva Sports and Tanduay, tnhe No.1 Rhum and telecast at a later date on the top-rated weekly boxing show ?The Main Event.?
Laput won his last fight by a 4th round TKO over Tiny Tyson on August 28 while Mongkolchoi scored a 6th round knockout over Mana Morakotgym on March 28.
In the other WBO Asia Pacific title fight stylish Fernando Lumacad (17-1, 7 KO?s) takes on Saensaknoi Or Muangklang (93, 20 KO?s) in a battle of flyweights. However, while Lumacad made the weight easily Saensaknoi was one pound overweight i his first try on the scales and like his compatriot Mongkolchoi didn?t have too much trouble shedding off the excess poundage.
Lumacad scored a solid unanimous decision over tough Donnie Mabao last July 29 while Saensaknoi also won by unanimous decision over Rommel Asenjo last February 22.
In another WBO Asia Pacific Youth flyweight title fight undefeated ?Marvelous? Marvin Sonsona (7-0, 6 KO?s) faces another local boy Joel Rafols (8-2, 2 KO?s) and is heavily favored to stretch his unbeaten streak.
One of several promising young fighters in the Philippines, Sonsosa is coming off a spectacular first round knockout victory over John Naimes last September 14 while Rafols scored a unanimous decision over Renato Nival last June 12.
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