By Rene Bonsubre,Jr.
MANDAUE CITY,CEBU,PHILIPPINES - It was a night of shock and awe with the two main bouts ending in stunning KO's. Former two time world title-holder Vic Saludar (25-6,15 KO's) blasted Thailand's Sanchai Yotboon (14-8, 9 KO's) in just 37 seconds for the vacant WBO Oriental mini-flyweight title. A subtle fake followed by a short punch to the jaw sent Yotboon crashing down for the count.
Saludar has had short lived reigns as WBO and WBA world champion. He is currently ranked number two contender by the WBO and number six by the WBA.
In the main event, Lorenz Dumam-ag (10-0-1, 7 KO's) dropped Ramel Macado (8-1, 4 KO's) thrice in the opening round and won the vacant WBO Oriental flyweight title. This is Dumam-ag’s first regional title.
In a blood tinged contest, World ranked Ian Paul Abne (12-0-1,4KO’s) traded punch for punch and blood for blood with Darwin Boyones (6-5, 3KO’s) for the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) light flyweight belt with Abne emerging victorious. Both suffered cuts but it was Abne who was bleeding profusely for most of the fight. Boyones however, was dropped three times in the seventh but showed guts in getting back up. The scorecards read – 100-88 and 98-89 twice.
On the distaff side, three time world title challenger Casey Morton Croft (12-4-3,4KO's) of the U.S beat Peeyalux Sanpokang (6-2,5 KO's) of Thailand by a lopsided unanimous decision. The scores – 60-54 and 59-55 twice.
For the rest of the card – Riel Gabunillas won by unanimous decision over Carlo Diaz after 6 rounds (scores 60-54, 58-56,58-56), Jhon Magos stopped Grant Elorza in three rounds, John Ver Espra beat Raffie Jamero by unanimous decision in 6 rounds (58-56 3x) and Ramil Roda won by KO in the second round against Isagani Saludar.
The fight card co-promoted by ARQ Sports and Championship Boxing Development of the Philippines (CBCP) was held on Labor Day at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.
File photo – Vic Saludar.
