Laput, Sonsona KO foes in Naga slugfest

CEBU - Ramie Laput and Marvin Sonsona joined the long list of Filipino WBO regional titleholders with impressive victories via stoppage over separate foes in the other night’s well-attended “Saga in Naga” boxing extravaganza at the Naga City Sports Complex.Laput pulled off a spectacular third round TKO triumph over Thai Mongkolchai Singmanassak to snatch the interim WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title, while Sonsona dismantled Joel Rafols in round two to claim the vacant AsPac Youth flyweight belt.

A spunky Laput rattled Singmanassak with a flurry of telling blows to the head and body which the groggy Thai failed to counter, forcing the third man on the ring to wave off the bout at the 1:32 mark of the third round.

Ironically, the fight between Fernando Lumacad and Thailand’s Saensaknoi Nor Muangklang ended in a split draw.

In the other bout, Ryan Tampus needed just 46 seconds to send Reil Mandate into a nightmarish sleep.

Ronald Castrodes won by split decision over Fabio Marfa in an exciting super flyweight duel, Jestoni Pepito had little trouble in disposing off Korean Joon Woon Choi in round four, while featherweight Rolando Magallano passed his pro debut with flying colors, hacking out a four-round unanimous decision victory over Dison Cag-ong.

The slambang card was bankrolled by international promoter Sammy “Don King” Gello-ani of SGG Sports Promotions in association with the city government of Naga under the leadership of Mayor Val Chiong, Viva Sports, Tanduay, and Omega Boxing Gym. - THE FREEMAN