A great learning experience for Amparo

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Jake “El Bambino” Amparo will have to wait a little bit longer to fulfill his dream of fighting for a world crown.

This after the PMI Bohol Stable fighter bowed down to fellow countryman Pedro “Kid Pedro Heneral” Taduran via lopsided unanimous decision in their International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight title eliminator in the main event of  “Kumong Bol-anon XIII” late Thursday night at the Bohol Wisdom School (BWS) gym here.

On the attack mode from the get go,  the highly aggressive Taduran was all over Amparo for most part of their 12-round duel. He completely outclassed Bohol’s hometown pride, landing more solid punches and clear shots in their close-range battle especially in the middle rounds.

Fighting back with a sense of urgency, Amparo sprang to life in the final two rounds but it was too late as Taduran has already piled up enough points to get the nod of the three ringside judges.

US-based Cebuano judge Jonathan Davis penned the bout 119-109, Japan’s Nobuto Ikehara saw it 118-110, while Thailand’s Sanong Uomim scored it 116-112, all for Taduran, who earned a mandatory shot at the undefeated IBF 105-pound champion Ginjiro Shigeoka (10-0, 8KOs) of Japan.

“First of all, I’m very happy that no one was hurt during our fight,” said Taduran, who now holds a 16-4-1 record packed with 12KOs. “Amparo was a very good and tough opponent that is why I’m very thankful to God for giving me this victory asvI really worked hard for it.”

For Amparo, the temporary setback was a great learning experience.

“I gave it my all. It’s only that I did not threw as many punches as I could,” said Amparo, who fell to 14-5-1 with 3KOs. “But  I learned a lot from my defeat. I got to know of the things I have to work out and improve on to become a better boxer. For now I have to relax first and take a much needed rest before going back to the drawing board.”

They may be on the losing end but PMI Bohol Promotions head Atty. Floriezyl Echavez Podot is still proud of Amparo’s performance.

“As I always say, “In God’s perfect time”. Today may not be it, but for sure it will be given,” said Podot in a heartfelt message for Amparo he wrote on his Facebook page. “You have the heart of a champion. Continue to get better and increase your burning desire.

I am very proud of you for giving your all in this fight.”

It was not all down moment though for PMI Stable as they also have something to be happy about, thanks to Gerwin “Gladiator” Asilo (8-0, 3KOs) who beat Aljum “Nightmare” Pelesio of Elorde Stable by unanimous verdict to seize the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific bantamweight belt. The official scores were 98-92, 98-92, and 97-93.

In the other championship match, Joseph “The Hunter” Sumabong (6-0, 3KOs) of Bohol’s Black Snake Promotions prevailed over Erson Trinidad of Elorde Gym by unanimous decision to grab the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Australasian minimumweight strap. The judges’ scorecards were 78-74, 78-74, and 79-73.