VILLANUEVA RETAINS WBO ORIENTAL FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 02 Aug 2010
WBO Oriental featherweight champion Lorenzo ?Thunderbolt? Villanueva, a rangy fighter with power to go along with a fighting heart, slugged it out with former world title challenger Balweg Bangoyan for six action-packed rounds before the battering he took saw Bangoyan?s left eye almost totally shut prompting the ring physician to recommend to referee Tony Pesons to call a halt before the start of round seven which went down in the record books as a 7th round TKO.
International referee Bruce McTavish who was in M?Lang, North Cotabato to referee the fight but was switched to handle the clash for the vacant WBO Oriental flyweight title told us that Bangoyan who lost by a 5th round TKO in his title bid against Japan?s Toshiaki Nishioka in a super bantamweight bout last April 30, inexplicably came in four-and-a-half pounds over the featherweight limit and not only sacrificed his chances of grabbing the title in case he won, also forfeited 10 percent of his purse in addition to having to wear ten ounce gloves.
However, McTavish said Bangoyan showed a lot of heart in battling Villanueva who reminded him of former world super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon who had an awkward style, left himself open but had remarkable punching power which enabled him to score a first round knockout over title challenger Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista and a twelve round unanimous decision over former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa.
The 23 year prot?g? of former North Cotabato governor and broadcast journalist Manny Pinol?s ?Braveheart? boxing stable reportedly staggered Bangoyan several times although Villanueva also absorbed some solid punches to the body. With the win the 5?7? Villanueva improved his record to 17 knockouts in 18 wins with one no decision.
In a post fight interview Pinol who always wants his fighters to show a courageous fighting heart and punching power conceded in an interview on philboxing.com that while Villanueva certainly has the heart and the power ?we really have to overhaul his fighting style. He is going to end up with a octagonal head if he continues fighting the way he did tonight. A certain degree of boxing skills and art must be added to his fighting style."
Pinol?s other touted prospect, 22 year old Jermie Jabel suffered a stunning 3rd round knockout at the hands of the seasoned Ardin Diale from the stable of former Philippine champion Emil Ramano and his journalist wife Virgie who was very happy over Diale?s win against a talented opponent.
After Diale dropped Jabel with an uppercut in the first round during an infighting exchange and followed up by sending Jabel to the canvas for a second time in round two. When the comparatively experienced Diale dropped Jabel for the third time in round three referee McTavish didn?t even bother to count as it was clear the youngster was out.
Pinol was visibly upset. He said Jabel Jabel fought the wrong fight and he would have to ?sit down with the training staff to assess that fight and point out the flaws. Then maybe we will give him another chance and determine whether he still has what it takes to excel in this sport. Honestly, I am not very happy with this result because I feel that if he gets knocked out by somebody who had been knocked out by Rodel Mayol and Johnriel Casimiro, then that indicates that something is simply not right."
Pinol told philboxing.com he pitied the boy because he knew how much he wanted to win. While giving him an A for courage Pinol made it clear he would have to be ?honest in our assessment. Boxing is a cruel sport. Compassion even for mediocre fighters has no room here."
In a comeback fight Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua scored a 1st round knockout over Nikong Calamba and talented Glenn "The Rock" Porras ripped Jun Pader with powerful body punches in the opening round to win a scheduled eight round bout.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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