BANAL, AMONSOT IN IMPRESSIVE KNOCKOUT VICTORIES
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 01 Feb 2009
TAGBILARAN CITY -- AJ 'Bazooka' Banal and Czar Amonsot scored impressive knockout victories over their Indonesian opponents at the jampacked Island City Mall car park here late last night to announce their earnest return to the boxing world.
Banal displayed new moves and bounce to outslick and outmaneuver Nouldy Manakane of Indonesia circling beautifully while tagging the game Indonesian with accurate combinations. The Indonesian fought valiantly but his onslaught came to naught as these were met with fort-like defense and booming counters from the resurgent Filipino.
A hard left sent Manakane to the canvas in the 2nd round and a 1-2 combo at 1:39 of the 4th canto sent Manakane crushing hard to the canvas again. Referee Ben Necesario didn't bother to administer the count as the Indonesian, who was hoping to score a monumental upset, lay motionless in the middle of the ring and was helped by ring physicians to recover and get back on his feet.
Amonsot who didn't show the rust of a one and a half year layoff, was too powerful and skillful for Zoel Fidal sending the Indonesian to the canvas in the 2nd round with a body shot to which Fidal's corner was trying to contest with the referee as a low blow. A picture-perfect left-cross by Amonsot to Fidal's jaw in the 5th round sent the Indonesian to the canvas for the second time. Referee Delbert Peligrino waved his hands signaling the end of the contest when Fidal was unable to beat the count.
An estimated 15,000 Boholanos in this island paradise stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the vacant parking lot to witness the return of their popular province-mates.
In the main undercard, local prospect Ricky Sismundo scored a stunning 8th round knockout victory over the highly regarded Darryl Pucdol of the Wakee Salud stable. In a fight featuring a highly skilled boxer going against a young workhorse, brute force won the night as Pucdol was unable to put away the very determined Sismundo who kept on coming back and finally landed the night's most telling blow that knocked the daylights out of Pucdol for good in the 8th round.
In other results, Along Denoy coasted to an 8th round unanimous decision over Aljun Salogaol; Rocky Amosot vs Sauel Galinato ended a split draw; Junel Barembao vs Ricky Nunez ended in a majority draw; Perennial loser Powell Balaba scored his first win in six fights over the debuting Jestoni Tunacao and Romano Gelig scored a majority decision victory over Eman Labanza.
Last night's event was presented by ALA Promotions with the full support of Tagbilaran City mayor Dan Neri Lim and city government of Tagbilaran, Bohol.
Top photo: Banal goes to the neutral corner after sending Manakane to the canvas for good in the 4th round during their fight last night in Bohol.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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