Escobia wins Luzproba jr. bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 24 Mar 2013
HARDPUNCHING Michael ?Explosive? Escobia survived an early knockdown and twice decked his rival Mark Joseph Costa en route to a convincing unanimous decision win and captured the vacant Luzon Professional Boxing Association (Luzproba) junior bantamweight title last Friday night at the Makati Square Arena in Makati City.
The 22-year old Escobia, who was downed in the second round by a left cross, came back strong in the third to also send down Costa with his vicious right cross.
Costa tried to fight back but was kept at bay by Escobia?s stinging jabs. He was pushed down in the next canto and was hit by a low blow near the hips in the fifth round.
Both fighters traded blows but Escobia already gained confidence as he danced around Costa while throwing jabs in the next round. Escobia, who previously lost by a first round knockout to Norasing Kokietgym for the vacant PABA super flyweight title in Thailand last December 14, then landed another powerful right cross to send again Costa to the canvas in the 7th round.
Costa, who had a brief training with former US Olympic trainer Bubba Stott tried to chase Escobia but was stopped by the more telling blows of his rival in the final three rounds.
?Masaya ako dahil na-ihiganti ko ang talo ko noon,? said Escobia, who lost by a split decision to Costa in 2011 when they were still in six-rounds.
Escobia, who recently retained his Philippine Boxing Federation super flyweight title via technical decision in the 6th round against Rex Tito last August 17, was awarded a golden belt donated by Datu Basher ?Bong? Alonto and promoter Yolly Alfante of Shock Punch Promotions.
Escobia improved his ring record to 10 wins with three loses and one draw while Costa (4-8-2) suffered his fourth straight loss since his controversial fight with Karlo Maquinto who died after collapsing in the ring during their fight last January 28, 2012. The 8-rounder bout ended in a majority draw after Maquinto was down twice in round 2 and was into deep comatose situation and eventually died at the hospital on Feb. 3.
The Escobia-Costa fight, billed as ?Kamao sa Kamao? was promoted by Yolly Alfante, president of the Shock Punch Promotions with the proceeds going to the Buhay Kamao Foundation.
In the main supporting bout, Ricky Dulay of Team Insider Gym scored a technical knockout win against Roger Galicia of Tiger City Gym in 1:02 of the third round.
Dulay landed a right cross to Galicia after a brief exchange of blows near the corner.
The other results:
Gilbert Bosquit of Leonel Lazarito Stable beat RetchieBagaan of MP Boxing Gym by majority decision (6 rds.-116 lbs.);substitute Potato Arcilla won by a split technical decision against Leo de Guia of YOA Stable, who suffered a nasty cut in his eyebrow due to a headbutt in the 3rd round (4 rds.-119 lbs.); PamiloTabanao of Lauro Stable outpunched Jorge Taduran of Johnny Moris Stable by unanimous decision (4 rds.-106 lbs.); Jayson Nicart of SBS-AB Stable stopped Valeriano Gabriel of Berwela Stable in 39 seconds of the 4th round (4 rds.-123 lbs.); Jessie Caballes of AB Dynamic Stable won against RenjieHermoso of Mix Depot Gym by a unanimous decision (4 rds.-110 lbs.).
Before the start of the fights, the Buhay Kamao Foundation formally opened its main office located at the second floor of the Makati Square Arena. The ribbon cutting was made by Rizal Municipal Mayor Aurelio Antonino, who was assisted by BKF president and birthday celebrant YollyAlfante and businessman-sportsman Datu Basher Alonto and his wife Helen of AB Dynamic Organizer.
TOP PHOTO: NEW CHAMPION. Boxing promoter Yolly Alfante (3rd from left), president of the Buhay Kamao Foundation is flanked by new Luzproba junior bantamweight king Michael Escobia (4th from left) and Mark Joseph Costa after their title-fight last March 22 at the Makati Square Arena. Others in photo are (from left) co-promoter Datu Basher Alonto, referee Sammy Bernabe and ex-Philippine bantamweight champion Mario Sumalinog. (Photo by LITO DELOS REYES)
TKO WIN. Ricky Dulay of Team Insider Gym scored a technical knockout win against Roger Galicia of Tiger City Gym in 1:02 of the third round of the main supporting bout of the Kamao sa Kamao boxing card last March 22 at the Makati Square Arena in Makati City. Dulay landed a right cross to Galicia after a brief exchange of blows near the corner. (Photo by PABLO CRUZ)
ROUND GIRLS. The round girls during the Kamao sa Kamao boxing promotion held March 22 at the Makati Square Arena in Makati City promoted by the Shock Punch Boxing Promotions for the benefit of the Buhay Kamao Foundation.
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