Domingo stops Thai, keeps belt

Michael Domingo of the ALA Boxing Gym retained his WBO Oriental bantamweight title with an eighth round TKO of Thai challenger Ratanachai Sor Vorapin in the main event of the “Daytime Boxing: Philippines vs Thailand” card at the Cebu Coliseum last Sunday.

Domingo, from Libac, Sultan Kudarat, sneaked in a vicious right uppercut in 2:58 of the ninth round that sent Vorapin down. The Thai, a former world champion, tried to get up with blood oozing profusely from his broken nose, prompting referee Teddy Alivio to have it checked by the ringside physician. Alivio later waved off the bout upon the advise of Dr. Armindo Ceniza as the injury rendered Vorapin unfit to continue the fight.

The 29-year-old Domingo thus improved to 37-14-2 with 16 KOs.

Vorapin suffered his 11th defeat in 84 fights.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said Domingo will campaign next in the lucrative US boxing market.

“Definitely he will be campaigning next in the US and hopefully he will get a crack at a world championship,” said Aldeguer.

Domingo is expected to gain in the world ratings after his conquest of Vorapin, ranked No. 3 by the WBO.

Aldeguer said the plan is to book Domingo for a ring date in the US on Dec. 5 or on the eve of the fight between Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao and the legendary Oscar de la Hoya.

In the other bouts, Joel de la Cruz fought to a split draw with former WBA king Somsak Kokietgym, also of Thailand; Julius Alcos won by majority decision over Nelson Llanos; while Marvin Sonsona knocked out John Naimez in 2:32 of the first round in the shortest match of the day.

In the lone women’s bout of the event presented by SGG Sports Promotions of Sammy Gello-ani, Kokiet Group of Thailand, City Government of Cebu, Viva Sports, Tanduay, Omega Boxing Gym, Sunriser Motorcycles of the Norkis Group and Cebu Grand Hotel, Thailand’s Usanakaron pulled off an impressive third round TKO of RP’s Geremie Tabastabas.