'Kumong Bato' is new OPBF lightweight boss

In another fine display of power-punching skills, Cebuano ring executioner Randy "Kumong Bato" Suico stopped Thai Pongpetch Chuwatana in the fourth round to emerge as the new Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) lightweight champion in the main event of the other night's double championship card witnessed by a sizeable crowd at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

The 24-year-old Suico first dropped Chuwatana with a solid right uppercut to the chin midway in the fourth canto. Chuwatana quickly got up, but Suico again sent Thai down on both knees with energy-sapping body shots.

At this point, scoring referee Bruce MacTavish did not bother to count and wisely waved off the bout at the 2:08 mark of the fourth round to prevent the fallen Thai from further damage.

Before finishing off Chuwatana, Suico had some defensive lapses in the second round, carelessly leaving his face an open target of the Thai visitor's sharp jabs. In the final 10 seconds of that stretch though, Suico charged in like raging bull to open a cut over Chuwatana's left eye.

After that, it was an all-Suico show as Chuwatana started feeling the pain of the Cebuano's punishing body punches.

Suico, fighting before his hometown supporters for the first time in 18 months, bettered his win-loss record to 25-3 now embellished with 23KOs. Chuwatana suffered his 15th defeat against only nine wins, seven via stoppage.

Noted Japanese boxingman Joe Koizumi, Suico's manager, said his ward might have his first title defense in February next year in Japan.

In the supporting main event that featured the clash of unbeaten warriors, Eden Sonsona of the Wild Card Stable of Manila retained his Philippine super flyweight crown for the first time after pulling off a ninth round TKO of Jerope Mercado of Cebu's RWS Stable.

The busy-punching Sonsona floored the fagged out Mercardo with a right cross to the jaw and then finished off his foe with a powerful left hook to the head in 1:22 of round nine.

Thus, Sonsona stretched his unbeaten record to 10-0 with 2KOs. Mercado saw his previously undefeated 10-fight streak, including four wins by knockout, come to a sudden red stop.

Brothers Apol and Benedict Suico were as impressive as their uncle Randy. Apol needed only two minutes and 51 seconds to floor Jun Pader, while Benedict decked Edwin Ubatay at 2:05 of the second round.

The rest of the bouts in the card presented by Rex "Wakee" Salud International in partnership with MP Promotions saw Boggie Delada scoring a first round TKO of Mario de Asis, Gedion Amba winning by unanimous decision over Rolly Mandahinog and Darell Pucdol decking Reymund Arguedo in the second round.