ALA BOY DOMINGO RETAINS RP CROWN!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 16 Jul 2006
MANILA--Michael Domingo of the ALA Stable did just enough to retain his RP bantam title by the skin of his teeth with a split decision win over a determined Johnny Lear following their tactical 12-round bout Saturday night at the jampacked activity center of the Metropolis Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa.
Domingo's agression proved to be crucial in the fight, as two of the judges favored him while the third one saw Lear the winner.
This was Domingo's second fight this month following his July 2 demolition of Alejandro Felix Montiel underneath the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios scorcher.
Judge Epi Almeda had it a realistic 115-112 for Domingo, while Salvador Lopez penned it 117-111 also for Domingo. However, Henry Verniz favored Lear, 114-113.
The 26-year-old Domingo, making his third titular defense, took off immediately right at the get-go, applying the pressure on Lear starting at the opening bell. Lear, who fights out of the Rigside Boxing Gym, retaliated with clear shots in the second round.
There was little action in the third, although Domingo had the slight advantage, before Lear seems to have stolen the fourth round with his jab in the dying seconds of the round.
A headbutt in the fifth opened a gash above Domingo's left eye, but the champion continued stalking a retreating Lear. The challenger rocked Domingo with a big uppercut, and was clearly winning this round before Domingo accidentally punched him after the bell. Lear took a one-point deduction due to the headbutt.
Domingo continued to press the attack from round six through seven, before rocking Lear with a big right uppercut in the eighth. The champion continued his attack in a close ninth round.
A big right then staggered Domingo in the tenth, as the champion's face was now swollen underneath the right eye area.
The last two rounds were pretty even rounds, with Domingo continuing his attack as Lear continued to use his lateral movement to make this a competitive affair.
The win improved Domingo's record to 29-13-3 with 11 KO's, and lines him up for a WBF title crack in France next.
UNDERCARD
In the chief support, Fabio Marfa earned a one-sided unanimous decision win over Alfred Nagal, 99-91, 98-92, 100-90.
Debuting Hawaii-based fighter Van Oscar Penovaroff impressed fans with a blowout unanimous decision over Beboy Cudeldiego, who was decked twice in the third round. Scores were 40-34 from all three judges.
Rocky Fuentes took away Ricky Manatad with a big body shot, stopping the latter at the 51-second mark of the opening round.
Also, ex-RP champ Federico Catubay earned an easy unanimous decision win over Flash Simbajon, while Louie Bantigue and Daniel Diolan prevailed on unanimous verdict over Jongjong Gagante and Cris Dujali, respectively.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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