SOROLLA TKO’D IN IBF TITLE FIGHT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 24 Dec 2006
IBF minimum weight challenger Benjie Sorolla of the Philippines was TKO’d in the seventh round of a title fight against world champion Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia who gave himself a present as promised on his 34th birthday with the impressive victory Saturday.
Referee John Wright called a halt at 2:10 of the seventh round after Rachman landed a series of big unanswered shots on Sorolla in the title fight held at the Indoor Tennis Senayan Stadium in Jakarta. At the time of the stoppage Rachman was leading on the scorecards of all three judges including Filipino judge, journalist Salven Lagumbay of Philboxing.com. However, Lagumbay reported that Sorolla’s corner felt the stoppage was “a bit premature” although Wright maintained that Sorolla got tagged with too many punches and the fighter’s safety was his paramount concern.
Rachman used an effective jab and was too smart for Sorolla who suffered a cut over his left eye in the sixth round which referee Wright ruled was caused by a legitimate punch. The victory improved then Indonesian’s record to 61-5-5, 31 KO’s
while Sorolla dropped to 21-11-3, 8 KO’s. Sorolla who had lost to Rachmann by a unanimous decision in 2002 was ranked No.14 by the IBF and earned $7,500 as purse while the champion received $54,600 according to reporter Damar Harsanto of the Jakarta Post.
Prior to the fight Rachman said he respected Sorolla as a good boxer but said he wanted to “floor him in the fifth round, but the sooner, the better,” After the win Rachman said he is looking forward to a mandatory title defense in February or March next year before a unification title fight against the WBA champion Yutaka Niida of Japan. The Sorolla title defense was optional following Rachman’s sixth round KO victory over mandatory challenger Omar Soto of Mexico on May 6 in Jakarta.
Rachman told The Jakarta Post “I will fight for two or three years before finishing my studies. Then I will take off my gloves and try to be a politician to help promote sports through politics.” The champion is studying at the Putra Bangsa University School of Law and has also brought some land in East Java where he plan to set up a boxing camp.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026