Three Pinoy pugs triumph in Dubai slugfest

MANILA, Philippines - Genesis Servania, Arthur Villanueva and Rey Bautista triumphed over their Latino counterparts in the recently concluded Pinoy Pride 27: Duel in Dubai at the Dubai World Trade Center in a blockbuster card put up by The Filipino Channel (TFC), ABS-CBN Sports Channel Sports+Action and ALA Promotions International.  

Servania, 23, knocked down Mexican Jose Cabrera behind a combination of shots and went on to score a technical knockout win in the ninth after Cabrera’s corner man called the match to stop due to a cut in his fighter’s right eye.

The unbeaten Servania thus stretched his win run to 25, including 11 Kos.

“He (Cabrera) was tough but thank God I prevailed,” said Servania, who also thanked all those who supported and prayed for him. “This victory is for all of you.”

Villanueva, meanwhile, bucked a second round knockdown and pulled off a split decision win over Henry Maldonado to secure the IBF International Jr. bantamweight crown.  

Like Servania, Villanueva also improved to 26-0 with 14 stoppages.

“I’m very thankful to all the Filipinos who watched the fight. Their cheers really pushed me to fight even harder,” said Villanueva.

Bautista, meanwhile, ran away with a majority technical decision win over Mexican Juan Jose Martinez to cap the Filipinos’ domination of the event.