Morales keeps WBO Oriental belt

Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales retained his WBO Oriental super bantamweight title but was pushed to the limit before pounding out a 12-round unanimous decision victory over a very game Thai challenger Narongnoi Or Muangklang in the main event of the “Collision at the Coliseum” boxing extravaganza late Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Though the aggressor, Morales had a hard time against the durable Thai visitor, whose slick counter-punching skills baffled the defending champion all night long. At some point, the two warriors locked themselves up in a fiery exchange of punches to the delight of spectators.

It was a not-so eventful rounds seven to nine, but heated action flared up anew when Muangklang started to chase Morales like a hungry lion after he sustained a minor cut on his face in the 10th round. From thereon, the Thai tenaciously pressed the attack button, but Morales did not take the bait knowing he has already piled up enough points to clinch the match.

Judge Edward Ligas scored the bout 115-113, Salven Lagumbay penned it 118-114, while Edwin Barrientos saw it 118-110 all for Morales, who stretched his undefeated record to 12-0 dotted with seven knockouts. Muangklang slipped to 9-2 (5KOs).

“He still has a lot to improve, but it was good experience for him,” said revered international promoter Sammy Gello-ani, who is planning to insert Morales in the undercard of Gerry Peñalosa’s WBO bantamweight title defense against Mexico’s Nestor Rocha on September 20 at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.In the supporting bouts, one-time world challenger Bert “Ninja” Batawang (48-7, 36KOs) and the Australia-based IBF Pan-Pacific lightweight crown-holder Ranee Ganoy (25-10, 20KOs) of Dido Bohol Stable pulled off contrasting victories over separate foes.

Batawang defeated fellow veteran Benjie Soralla by eighth round technical decision, while Ganoy lived up to his monicker as “KO Kid” by stopping Thai Sapapetch Sor Sakaorat in round two.

Batawang was deducted a point in round five for accidental headbutt that opened a minor cut on Soralla’s forehead. With just eight seconds gone by in round six, their heads clashed again, causing a gaping gash over the right eye of Batawang.

At this point, referee Ben Necessario waved off the bout upon the advise of ringside physician Jose Unabia as the cut rendered Batawang unfit to continue the fight. Batawang then was declared the victor as he was leading on points at the time of the stoppage.

Ganoy, on the other hand, landed a solid left-right combo to the body that sent the haplees Sakaorat down on both knees. Sakaorat was counted out by referee Tony Pesons in 2:34 of the second round.

The big revelation was featherweight prospect Balweg “Davao Hitman” Bangoyan of Davao City, who decked Cagayan de Oro City’s Phil Angcamor in 37 seconds of the second round. Bangoyan, thus, stayed unscathed in a dozen fights now embellished with 8KOs.

In the other matches, South Korean Jonghwa Lee won by unanimous verdict over Cagayan de Oro City’s Brian Diano, Jason Layson of Manila prevailed over Pol Apolinario of Saranggani Province by UD, Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona of CDO stopped Jerome Buntog of Mandaue City at 1:40 of round five, and Jerry Pahal of Cebu City beat Chum “Warrior” Sedillo of Dumaguete by unanimous decision.

Arnel Dunal of Chao Sy Stable managed by longtime boxing patron Lorenzo “Chao” Sy recorded the shortest bout of the night when he flattened Ariel Baricuatro at the 1:21 mark of the first round.