SUICO DISMANTLES THAI TO RETAIN OPBF CROWN
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 28 Apr 2005
LAPU-LAPU CITY---With reigning Ring Magazine featherweight king Manny Pacquiao watching his every move at the gallery, World Boxing Council no. 3 Randy "Komong Bato" Suico retained his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super-featherweight title with an impressive fourth-round technical knockout win over Thai challenger Muangfahlek Kiatwichean before a jampacked crowd at this city's sports center.
Suico, who is hoping for a battle royale with WBC super-featherweight king Marco Antonio Barrera next, unleashed a thundering three-punch combination that turned Muangfahlek's world upside down at the 1:53 mark of the fourth stanza.
It was an impressive showing by the local hero Suico, who fought inspired by international hero Manny Pacquiao on the day the city commemorated the epic victory of the country's first warrior hero, Lapu-Lapu.
GAB Chairman Eric Buhain, who was at ringside, was impressed by Suico's showing as well as GAB boxing chief Emmanuel Flores, althought the latter advised Suico to do some more fine-tuning to be able to beat an icon like Barrera.
Suico and Muangfahlek looked tentative in the opening round, but action soon picked up in the second round as Suico stepped up on his attack against the slippery Thai, who did a fine defensive job ala Floyd Mayweather.
Suico started missing more shots in the third frame, as the Thai gained his confidence and landed shots of his own on Suico. However, Suico's explosive power showed up by the fourth, as he caught Muangfahlek with a left, staggering him to the ropes. Suico then followed it up with a right-left combo that sent the Thai down and out as medics tried to revive him.
GEJON READY FOR WBA CHALLENGE
In the undercard, WBA no. 1 and mandatory challenger Yukka Gejon of Wakee Salud Stable showed why he is fighting for the world title in September as he decked Thai Namchai Thaksinisan thrice en route to a second-round stoppage.
Gejon bucked down to business immediately at the get-go, sending the Thai down with a right hook in the first, but the latter survived the round. A right hook in the second downed the Thai again, and after fight resumed, Gejon unleashed a coup de grace--his bread and butter right upper--to finally sink the Thai for good.
In the undercards, Rowel Mangan prevailed on a 97-93, 97-93, 100-93 decision win over JR Sollano; Louie Bantigue TKO'd William Macas in the third; Gabriel Pumar TKO'd Emer Barrientos in the fourth; Alex Aroy beat Allan Dugang via unanimous decision; Apol Suico defeated Dodong Salde on unanimous decision; while Alvin Mundala also took a unanimous decision verdict over Jomar Matbagon.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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