CEBU, Philippines - Fernando "Batang Bato" Ocon-Singwangcha scored a ninth round stoppage of the previously undefeated Aroel "Baby Lion" Romasasa of General Santos City to wrest the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) flyweight crown the other night at the full-packed San Fernando Sports Complex in southern Cebu town of San Fernando some 40-minute drive from Cebu City.
The two protagonists figured in an intense exchange of rapid-fire punches right after the opening bell to the delight of 3,000 plus fans who watched the slambang seven-fight show presented by Thai boxing patron Naris Singwangcha and RWS Promotions International of Cebuano topnotch promoter Rex "Wakee" Salud in association with the local government of San Fernando under the flagship of Mayor Antonio "Abe" Canoy.
The highly entertaining brawl continued from the second until the ninth round when a visibly fagged out Romasasa, in the middle of another heated exchange of blows, suddenly turned his back in an unexpected act of surrender, forcing referee Tony Pesons to wave off the bout at 28 seconds of round nine.
"He (Romasasa) was so tough that I could hardly knock him out. He also hit me with several solid shots but I can take his punches," said Ocon-Singwangcha, who bettered his record to 10-1 now spiked with 2KOs. Romasasa saw his streak of nine victories dotted with 5KOs come to a sudden red stop.
In the other bouts, Jason Redondo-Singwangcha of Ormoc City stopped Rey Vincent Liparanon of Bislig City at 1:23 of the fourth round, while Sonny Katiandagho of GenSan sneaked in a powerful left to the chin that sent Bryan Maano of Tuburan, Cebu crashing into the canvas for good late in round four.
On the other hand, Lester Pronco of Bukidnon and Jesson Inso of Cebu City both won by unanimous decision over Gelvert Magos of Mabinay, Negros Oriental and Joel Soterol of Cebu City, respectively.
Francisco Singwangcha of Ormoc recorded the shortest match of the evening as he needed just 25 seconds to finish off Boholano upstart Dodong Tubo with a crushing blow to the paunch in their light flyweight clash, while Jun Ryan Quimbo, a ring talent from Compostela spotted by Lito Cortes, and Kenny Singwangcha of Iligan City fought to a majority draw.—EBV (FREEMAN)