Tampus wins but Danggod loses

First, the good news.

Teenaged knockout artist Marvin Tampus of Leyte defied the odds when he stopped Pan Asia Boxing Association (PABA) junior flyweight champion Deeden Kengkarun in the seventh round in Thailand last Thursday.

Tampus, 19, floored Deeden twice in the fateful round to wrest the PABA crown. The win was considered a major upset as Deeden, ranked No. 4 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) in the 108-pound division, was heavily favored to retain the title.

Ring scholar Joe Koizumi described Tampus’ victory as "unexpected" and said it "stunned not only the crowd but (also) the Asian boxing fraternity."

Tampus and his manager Terry Carter, an American who lives in Cebu, are expected to fly back home with fighter Sonny Boco who is still confined in a frontier Thai hospital after undergoing two brain operations in the wake of a knockout loss to PABA minimumweight champion Porpamook Kratingdaeng-Gym last April 11.

But Cebu reporter Salven Lagumbay, who broke the news of Tampus’ win, said it’s not sure when Carter and his fighters will return. It will depend on Boco’s condition–if he’s fit to travel, noted Lagumbay.

The win raised Tampus’ record to 11-1, with six KOs.

Lagumbay said Tampus prepared for Deeden by sparring with stablemates Rodel Mayol, Wendel Janiola, and Joma Gamboa. Asked what his motivation was in beating Deeden, Tampus confessed his dream was only to earn some money to buy a pair of Merrell shoes. Carter will probably buy Tampus a closetful of shoes when they come back.

Now, the bad news.

Celso Danggod of Zamboanga lost to Belfast stylist Damaen Kelly on points in a bid for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) flyweight title at the Excel Exhibition Centre in London last Tuesday. It was the fifth straight defeat by a Filipino in a world title fight this year.

Danggod, manager Dante Almario and fight coordinator Allan Vidal arrived from London late Thursday night.

Almario had no excuses. "In fairness to Kelly, he deserved to win but I thought the fight was close," he said. The English judges, however, saw it one-sided and turned in scores of 120-109, 119-111, and 119-109.

Almario, a Muntinlupa Councilor, said Kelly’s nose was busted while Danggod was unmarked after the 12-round bout that was booed by fans because of the Irishman’s refusal to mix it up.

The loss dropped Danggod’s record to 25-14-11, with 11 KOs. Kelly, 28, raised his mark to 17-1, with eight KOs.

"Walang ginawa yung Kelly kundi mag-jab-straight-iwas," moaned Almario. "Tinakbuhan kami. Ayaw dumikit. Wala siyang lakas. Maganda lang ang kanyang footwork–mabilis siya, madulas pa kay Gerry Peñalosa. Kung lumaban siya kay Celso ng sabayan, malamang hindi siya tumagal."

Almario said Danggod complained of the cold weather. In the early rounds, he couldn’t break out into a sweat and was badly outboxed by the quick-stepping Kelly. But in the sixth round, Danggod went for broke and twice staggered Kelly who was saved by the bell.

"Mahirap labanan si Kelly–sundot ng sundot, tapos lalabas, sasayaw," related Almario. "Noong middle rounds, sumenyas si Celso na lumaban si Kelly ng harap-harapan. Ayaw niya kanya nag-boo ang mga tao."

After the fight, Almario said a lot of English fans mobbed Danggod for his autograph. It was a gesture of appreciation for his tough stand. Also, former middleweight champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler, who was at ringside, walked up to Danggod and congratulated him for his gutsy performance.

Almario said despite Danggod’s loss, English agent Steve James asked if he would be willing to fight in England again. Another agent, Glenn Carere of Canada, also inquired about the possibility of fighting in North America.

Almario said Danggod will rest about two weeks and celebrate his 27th birthday on Wednesday then go back to the gym.

For fighting Kelly, Danggod was stripped of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific lightflyweight title. Almario said Danggod will try to regain the crown.