By Rene Bonsubre,Jr.
NAGA CITY, CEBU, PHILIPPINES – Joseph Sumabong (7-1,4 KO’s) fired a well-timed shot to the midsection of John Kevin Jimenez (8-2,3 KO’s), who fell flat on his back. Referee Rey Caitom initiated the count but Jimenez stayed on the canvas till the count of ten.
The stunning sudden ending came near the end of the second round, courtesy of a short ,hard left.
Jimenez, from Cebu, had previously won the Philippine Youth and OPBF Youth belts. Sumabong, from Bohol, won the WBF Australasian minimumweight title last year against another Filipino, Erson Trinidad.
Sumabong was awarded the WBO Asia-Pacific Youth minimumweight title and will get a boost in the WBO rankings.
For the undercard matches– Jemuel Aranas (6-1,3 KO’s) sent Clyde Azarcon (17-14-1, 6 KO’s) down in rounds two, four and six, en route to a lopsided eight round unanimous decision. Aranas was awarded the Philippine boxing Federation interim flyweight title. Judges Nic Banal, Don Yballe and Michael Espinosa all had it 80-69.
Junibert Bantay (7-0,1KO) beat Joyjoy Formentera (11-6,7 KO’s) by unanimous decision after six rounds, Jeffre Jimenez ( 3-0,1KO) also got a unanimous nod against Jar-R Tulinan (4-10,2KO’s) and Joperson Trazo (4-0-1,1KO) got a unanimous verdict against Zandy Padiran (3-9-2,1KO).
This fight card is presented by Chao Sy Promotions and the local government of Naga City.
Photo- Joseph Sumabong receiving the WBO belt from supervisor, WBO VP for Asia Pacific Leon Panoncillo.
