NOTES FROM MACAU (PART II)
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 20 Jul 2014
MACAU ? It didn?t take long for Top Rank to establish an audience for professional boxing at the Cotai Arena. Chinese boxers fight in front of sell-out crowds and these same fans are looking forward to Manny Pacquiao?s return this November.
Macau has emerged as the big fight capital of Asia. This has also benefited boxers from nearby Philippines, Thailand, Japan and Australia who have regularly made appearances here. Filipino overseas workers also guarantee a ready cheering squad for our boxers.
PINOYS GO 2W-1L
After losing his WBO and WBA belts here last year, Brian ?The Hawaiian Punch? Viloria returned to score a fifth round KO courtesy of a left hook to the liver of Jose Alfredo Zuniga of Mexico. Referee Atty. Danrex Tapdasan reached the ten count at the 1:42 mark.
Mark Anthony ?El General? Geraldo was impressive with his sharp combos against Efrain Perez of Mexico in the early going. Geraldo knocked Perez down in the third. But the Mexican managed to fire back and hurt Geraldo, who also started to bleed from cuts around his right eyelid. Geraldo managed to hold off Perez but was deducted a point for holding.
Geraldo?s punch accuracy made him pull off the win. The scores ? Judge Salven Lagumbay ? 57-55,Tony Pesons and John Poturaj 58-54.
In the opening bout of the evening, Mike Merafuentes gave up too much in size and was overpowered by Russia?s former Olympic gold medal winner Egor Mekhontsev in their light heavyweight match. Merafuentes suffered a knockdown and his corner decided not let their fighter enter the 4th round.
HOME BOYS WIN
In the main event for CHAMPIONS OF GOLD, China?s golden boxer Zou Shiming displayed the tremendous improvement of his skills under trainer Freddie Roach in his fight against Luis dela Rosa of Colombia. Zou had too much in terms of speed and lateral movement. Dela Rosa compensated with toughness and guts but had to endure fighting with a cut on his left eyelid after a clash of heads in the fifth round.
Dela Rosa courageously fought on; his corner made their intentions known that they wanted to continue as they frantically tried to stop the blood oozing from the cut. In the end, Zou won handily by scores of 99-91 from Judges Salven Lagumbay and Dennis Nelson, 97-93 from Glen Feldman.
Rex Tso of Hong Kong stopped John Bajawa in the fifth round by raining a series of unanswered blows prompting Referee Sawaeng Thaweekoon to signal the end.
Ik Yang of China beat Rachamongkol Sor Pleonchit of Thailand by TKO in the third round.
Kuok Kun Ng of Macau won by unanimous decision over Beau O?Brien of New Zealand. Judges? scores ? Edgar Olalo and Edward Ligas ? 60-54, Danrex Tapdasan ? 59-55.
PROTECT YOURSELF AT ALL TIMES
The WBO/WBA superbantamweight title bout between Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba and Thai challenger Sod Looknongyangtoy came to a sudden end after a clash of heads in the opening round.
Sod was complaining and apparently hurt by the impact but did not suffer a cut. When the action resumed Rigondeaux fired a quick combo after touching gloves and decked the Thailander. Referee Mark Nelson counted Sod out at the 1:44 mark.
The other brief encounter of the night belonged to Gilberto Ramirez of Mexico, who knocked down Junior Talipeau of Australia thrice en route to a first round TKO win in their WBO International/NABF super middleweight bout.
This boxing event was supervised by the Professional Boxing Commission of China (PBCC) led by WBO-Asia Pacific chief Leon Panoncillo.
MACAU?S SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND TASTES
Macau?s main asset is its proximity to the mainland. It may be compact but it has something for everyone ? casinos, shopping, exploring the rustic alleyways, concerts, sporting events or simply feasting on Cantonese cuisine.
Brian Viloria walks to a neutral corner after knocking down Jose Alfredo Zuniga of Mexico.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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