Breathtaking Brutality in Bacolod
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 02 Aug 2010
Bacolod City ? The two undefeated hometown prospects delivered and won Philippine titles. Eight of the eleven scheduled fights ended by KO or TKO and Junjun Sabillo versus Jetli Purisima stood out as a spellbinding slugfest.
Arthur "El Matador" Villanueva of the Guanzon stable and Bago City lived up to his ring monicker as he tamed and defused the rough housing Brix 'Bomb' Ray of Davao. Ray was dangerous as he charged with fists flying but Villanueva sidestepped and countered well.
A sharp left jab and right straight combo sent Ray down in the 5th but Villanueva finished the round bleeding due to a cut on his right eyelid due to an accidental headbutt. Low blows from Ray slowed the action but in the 7th, Villanueva trapped Ray in the blue corner and unleashed a brutal volley that went unanswered prompting the referee to stop the fight at the 2:18 mark. Villanueva was crowned the new Philippine flyweight champion.
Junjun "Tiger" Sabillo of the Guanzon stable and Jetli Purisima of Gensan engaged in brutal twelve round war and a frontrunner for Philippine fight of the year. Sabillo and Purisima pressed and pounded each other at every turn.
Defense became a mere afterthought and the mid-ring brutality tested their endurance and recuperative powers. Sabillo had two chances to end it with brutal body shots but Purisima would not wilt and continued to trade punch for punch. The last two rounds were crucial as Sabillo got the edge with his cleaner shots.
Sabillo finished the bout with welts under both eyes while Purisima?s left eye was almost shut.
The scores read- 116-112, 116-112 and 117-112 for Sabillo who won the vacant Philippine minimumweight title.
WBC international 105 lb. champ Denver "The Excitement" Cuello Singwangcha pummeled Arnel Tadena of Bohol with a brutal mix of head and body shots. Tadena's face turned into a reddish mess and in the 4th round he turned his back twice signalling that he had enough. Official time of TKO - 2:52 of the 4th.
Cuello?s manager Aljoe Jaro and Naris Singwancha of Thailand were at ringside. The Thai promoter gave bonus cash incentives to the winners.
Juan Ivan Purisima of the Donaire Stable of Talisay City danced and counterpunched his way to a unanimous decision win over Jboy Mansalayao of Butuan City. The scorecards read - 78-74, 79-73 and 80-72.
John John "The Hitman" Guanzon won by first round knockout over Reggie Binueza of Agusan del Sur in their scheduled six round featherwieght contest. Binueza was knocked down twice and the refree reached the ten count at the 1:34 mark.
Ernie Sanchez of Gen. Santos City won by unanimous decision over RoyRoy Sumugat of the Guanzon Stable of Bacolod in a bruising superbantamweight battle. The scores read 58-55, 57-56 and 58-55 for Sanchez.
Featherweight Leonard Guardiano won by first round KO over Andy Adajar of Butuan City. A series of body punches floored Adajar twice and the referee reached the ten count at 1:59 of round one.
Ryan Sermona of the Guanzon stable of Negros won by TKO in a jr. lightweight bout as Dave Dey Galas of Gensan did not come out of his corner for round two.
Mike Espanosa of Negros Occidental won by first round TKO over Pablo Senares of Ilioilo in their four round flyweight contest. Senares was down twice both courtesy of a left hook. Official time 1:56.
Superbantamweight Jerry Nardo of Bacolod City won by first round knockout over Francisco Solis of Iloilo City. One two combos sent Solid down in the neutral corner and the referee reached the count of ten at the 1:29 mark.
In the evening's first bout, a miniflyweight contest, Joebert Alvarez of the Donaire Stable of Talisay City won by second round TKO over Novette Lincioco of Iloilo City. Lincioco was knocked down twice. Official time 2:25.
The fights were held Sunday evening at the Goldenfield Casino Filipino Hotel in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Philboxing would like to thank the organizers and the people of Bacolod City for their hospitality.
(Photos ? top photo : Villanueva vs Ray, bottom photo ? 1. Sabillo?s arm raised victorious, 2. Cuello in action vs Tadena , 3. Aljoe Jaro, Naris Singwangcha greeted at the Bacolod airport by one of the city?s more pleasant attractions)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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