Delada seals RP title shot with win over Kevkatche

Cebu-honed Camiguin fighter Dexter Delada of RWS Stable officially sealed his forthcoming RP title shot after hacking out a lopsided unanimous decision win over Rud 4K Kevkatche in their 10-round match topbilling the other night's "Boxing sa Lapu-Lapu" card at the Lapu-Lapu City Sports Complex.

With the resounding victory, Delada can now set his sights next on challenging Fernando Montilla for the Philippine lightweight crown on October 22 at the San Andres Civic and Sports Center in Manila.

Delada was in full command of the bout from start to finish although he failed to knock out Kevkatche, whose intent was obviously to survive rather than slug it out with the Mambajao, Camiguin warrior.

When the dust settled, judges Salven Lagumbay and Johnny Davis similarly scored the bout 98-92, while Arnel Pasion penned it 99-91 all in favor of Delada, who bettered his win-loss record to 13-2 spiked with 10KOs.

In the supporting main event of the slambang card bankrolled by RWS Promotions International, Cebuano rising star Benedict Suico stole the thunder after he flattened Butuan City's Jun Ebala in the first round.

It was a sweet redemption of sort for Rex "Wakee" Salud's new found talent, who was stopped in the fourth round by Thai Kaichon Sor Voparin in an ill-advised fight in Thailand last February.

A powerful left cross to the chin formally sent the hapless Ebale into a nightmarish sleep at the 2:32 mark of the opening session.

Gabriel Pumar also came up with a masterful first round stoppage of Joel Rodrigo, while Bogie Delada sent Roldan Malinao crashing into the canvass in the third round.

The rest of the bouts saw Gerope Mercader beating Sonny Saguing by unanimous decision and Aljun Salugaol defeating Gerry Manganip also by unanimous verdict.