PMI Bohol’s Sumabong unifies WBO and OPBF regional titles

TAGBILARAN CITY  , Philippines — Joseph “The Hunter” Sumabong of PMI Bohol Boxing Stable labored to a well-deserved unanimous decision victory over a very game Taiwanese  brawler Jheng Ciou to become a unified regional champion in the main event of “Kumong Bol-Anon XXV” last Saturday night, July 11, at the Fr. Patrick Barder Gymnasium of Holy Name University (HNU) here.

After 10 rounds of non-stop ring action, the three judges scored the bout 99-90, 98-91, and 97-92 all for Sumabong, who added Ciou’s Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Silver minimumweight belt to his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific crown.

“Lig-on kaayo ako kontra. Iya gipakita nga champion pud siya. Thank you Ciou for giving me a good fight,” said Sumabong, who now holds an 11-1 record laced with 5KOs. Ciou suffered his first loss in 11 matches with one draw and 8KOs.

In the supporting main event, reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) Asia light flyweight king “Sugar” Shane Gentallan (15-1, 7KOs) pulled a hard-earned unanimous decision win over the gritty Chinese Xiaokang Song (6-4,1KO). The official scores were 97-93 and 96-94 twice.

In the other featured bout, IBF Asia flyweight titleholder Leonard “The Dreamer” Porres III stretched his immaculate slate to 11-0 with 7KOs after defeating the grizzled veteran Renoel Pael (24-17-2, 12KOs) via UD.

Meanwhile, Cebu’s pride Christian “The Punchtian” Balunan and Reymart “Cebuano Assassin” Tagacanao easily dismantled their respective foes.

Balunan, who hails from Consolacion, delivered a series of crushing blows to the body to destroy Arvin John Sampaga in 2:53 of round four.

On the other hand, the Carcar City-native Tagacanao knocked out Jessie Bell Goltiano with a powerful body shot in 59 seconds of round three.

Balunan raised his card to 14-1 with 9KOs, while Tagacanao improved to 13-1 with 11KOs.

Both Balunan and Tagacanao are fighting out of the Villamor Boxing Gym under the guidance of legendary coach Edito “ALA” Villamor, a former two-time world title challenger turned champion maker.

In the other results of the highly successful promotion bankrolled by  Bohol’s top boxing man Atty. Floriezyl Echavez Podot, Jericho Acaylar (4-0, 2KOs) beat Michael Adolfo, Sugarey Leonard Pores (9-2, 6KOs) outclassed Venjie Patac, while Dryxz Russel Sardalla made an impression in his pro debut with a second-round TKO of Jethro Illusorio.