Aroy KOs Veronque in 90 seconds

The expected grudge return bout turned into a one-sided affair as Alex "Maasin Bomber" Aroy of Cebu's Rex "Wakee" Salud Stable needed just 90 seconds to pull off a smashing one-punch knockout of Zamboanga's Noel Veronque in "The Rematch" card the other night witnessed by an estimated crowd of 6,000 at the Maasin City Gym in Southern Leyte.

It was no less than a decisive assertion of Aroy's supremacy over Veronque after their first encounter on November 25 last year also in Maasin ended up in a technical draw. The bout was stopped in the second round when a gaping gash over Aroy's left eye caused by an accindetal rendered him unfit to continue.

With just a few seconds gone by in their rematch, Aroy scored two fluke knockdowns, but Veronque appeared to be unharmed as he quickly got up and even taunted Aroy by dashing away from his opponent in playful manner.

Aroy, however, aggressively attacked Veronque until he landed a sledge-hammer left straight to the face that flattened the veteran Mindanao brawler at the seat of his pants.

Veronque failed to stand up at the count of 10, prompting referee Tony Pesons to wave off the bout at the 1:30 mark of the opening session.

"Aroy's punch hit me so hard that it really shook me off," said Veronque.

Although proud of the victory of their hometown idol, some Maasinhons went home unsatisfied with the outcome as they did not expect the match to end up that early.

Aroy, PBF ranked No.3 light flyweight, improved to 10-3-1 (5KOs), while Veronque slipped to 13-19-2 (8KOs).

"It's really our desire to produce at least a Philippine champion from Maasin and Aroy is among the fighters we build up to fulfill that dream," said Maasin City Sports Council chairman and Vice Mayor Maloney L. Samaco.

In the supporting main event, Junrey Cañete of Bato, Leyte and Gerald Garcia of Mandaluyong City locked themselves up in a heated exchange of punches. Unfortunately, Garcia sustained a deep but over his left eye, forcing Pesons to stop the match upon the advise of ringside physican at 2:57 of the second round.

In the other bloody encounter, Maasin's hometown pride Jun Fernando and Adonis Aguelo pulverized their respective foes via short distance.

Ferando recovered from a first round knockdown to floor Dumaguete City's Ian Arcalin thrice in the third round for a resounding TKO win at 1:46, while Aguelo won by TKO at 1:08 of the second round over Cebu City's Reggie Campus.

The match was halted after Campus sustained a cut over his left eye and a laceration on his gums. Aguelo was declared the winner as the injuries of Campus were caused by legal blow.

The only blemish to what had been an almost perfect night by the Maasinhon ring gladiators was Angelito Entia's defeat by unanimous decision to Cebu City's Jimmy Siscon.

In the amateur action, the Red and Blue teams split their six matches.

Delivering victories for the Red squad were Joseph Sayson, Arjay Siega and Daryl Ramos, who clobbered Michael Ramos, Elijay Macalua, and Jason Entia, respectively.

The Blue side fired back with July Sevester Agero, Joneses Sayson, and Paulo Serdan registering wins over Pablito Lucernas, Isagani Ramos and Jeriel Flores.

Held as one of the highlights of Maasin's annual town fiesta and 6th Charter Day celebration, the event is presented by Rex "Wakee" Salud International in partnership with the city government of Maasin led by Mayor Damian Mercado and the city sports council through the efforts of Samaco and its executive director Atty. Bombom Demeterio.