PHILIPPINES VS. THE WORLD SIDELIGHTS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 29 Aug 2010
CEBU CITY ? Waterfront Hotel and Casino Grand Ballroom was jampacked here with boxing enthusiasts from all walks of life who wanted to see our local boxing heroes pitted against their respective foes from other parts of the world. Boxing personalities and elected officals were also there. Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno and world champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes, among others, were introduced atop the ring before the main event. Nietes got the loudest applause among the VIP?s called.
Mexican Alejandro Barrera was able to put up a good fight against Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista but was unable to continue after the referee halted the bout in the fourth round due to a large gash caused by Bautista?s punch. It was not inflicted by an accidental headbutt, as the referee saw it, so the ALA boxer won by a technical decision. The fight ended abruptly as the audience would have wanted to see more action.
It was Milan ?Melinyo? Melindo who became the darling of the crowd with his very impressive knockout victory over Korean Jin-Man Jeon in the second round. Korean tourists and residents in Cebu rooted for their countryman, who was no match with the thundering upper cut and left hook of the ALA boy. With 22 wins and no defeat in his entire professional career, all hopes are now pinned on Melindo to become the next world champion as he wants to challenge any available world titlist of lower weight divisions when he was interviewed by ABS-CBN before cheering fans at the Waterfront.
Pipino Cuevas, Jr. was not a chip of the old block that night as he looked unprepared for the fight. Jimrex Jaca easily disposed him in the first round as the Mexican did not live up to the fans? expectations. The ?Executioner? received wild cheers from the fans as he emerged victious over the good-looking but awkward-fighting Cuevas.
Former world champion Florante Condes knocked Indonesian Sofyan Effindi down in the sixth round. But a low blow by Condes on the same round gave Effindi a chance to clear the cobwebs on his head to survive the onslaught inflicted on him by the Filipino ex-world titlist. Condes convincingly won by a unanimous decision but fans lustily wanted a KO win.
Jun ?Flash? Entor provided comic relief for boxing fans with his funny antics atop the ring. Dressed with a cape printed ?Flash? showing his monicker when he was introduced, he delighted the crowd with windmill punches and spreading of his arms to entice opponent Jaime Alin, Jr. to box his uncovered face. Entor won a split decision in four rounds, causing the crowd to laugh more as he pose for fans who wanted to take pictures of him.
Naozumi Tsuchiyama of Japan lost his bout to Marlon Alta, in what many fans saw as a premature stoppage of the fight in the second round. The Japanese won the admniration of the crowd as he fought gallantly with an artificial right leg. He received loud cheers as he waved to the fans after the bout. We saw him at a restaurant at the I.T. Park later that night with his Japanese team.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024