PORRAS DOWNS SUACASA THREE TIMES TO CAPTURE MINPROBA TITLE

HE’S BACK. Newly-crowned Minproba bantamweight champion Glenn “The Rock” Porras (3rd from left) is flanked by his managers Jilson Basang (left) and Erwin Maderazo of MB Boxing Promotion after the main event of the “Bakbakan sa Pres. Roxas”. Also in photo is Minproba representative Romy Fordaliza.

By LITO DELOS REYES

DAVAO CITY (Sept. 18) – Glenn “The Rock” Porras of M’lang knocked down fellow former champion Renante Suacasa of Koronadal City three times to win by a convincing unanimous decision and captured the vacant Mindanao Professional Boxing Association (Minproba) bantamweight title last Saturday night at the municipal gym of Pres. Roxas in North Cotabato.

The 31-year old Porras started slow in the first two rounds while trying to chase Suacasa. In the third round, Porras finally found his momentum as he landed a solid hook on the face of Suacasa.

Porras, a former WBO Asia Pacific Youth bantamweight champion and former Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) bantamweight champion continued to chase Suacasa in the next round.

In the 5^th round, Suacasa suffered a slip after missing a right hook and was later warned by referee Ramil Ovalo for excessive holding. Porras, who patiently waited for the right timing finally cornered Suacasa and he landed a solid body shot on the right for his first knockdown.

Suacasa, however, recovered and was able to stand up before the referee completed his mandatory count. He was saved by the bell.

In the 6th round, Porras started with left-right body shots but also backpedalled to elude an upper cut by Suacasa, who was then hit by a low blow.

In the next round, Suacasa lost his mouthpiece after trading punches with Porras. Suacasa tried to distract Porras’ concentration with his ring antics. However, Porras, continued to chase Suacasa and was again hit by another solid body shot for the second knockdown at the corner. Suacasa was again saved by the bell.

In the 8^th and final round, Porras resumed his relentless attack on Suacasa, who was trying to clinch and ran away already. But Porras finally caught him again with a solid left on the body for the third knockdown in the dying seconds.

“Malakas yung mga suntok nya. Kulang pa lang siguro siya sa resistensya,” (His punches are strong. Maybe he still only needs more energy) said Suacasa, a former Minproba bantamweight champion.

Porras, on the other hand, admitted that he still needs to gain back his old form.

“Kulang pa dyud ko ug sparring pa. Kailangan ko pa ibalik akong kusog ug speed,” (I still lack sparring. I need to gain back my power and speed), said Porras, who improved his record to 29 wins with 17 knockouts and only four losses.

Porras is now managed by the MB Boxing Promotions owed by Engr. Jilson Basang of Panabo City and Engr. Erwin Maderazo of Singapore.

“It was a good comeback fight for Porras,” said Basang, who is also now based in Singapore.

Porras previously saw action when he fought but lost by a second round knockout for the WBO Latino bantamweight title against Puerto Rican Jose Nieves on December 7, 2012 at the Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida, USA.

In the main supporting bout, Arnold Garde did not disappoint his hometown crowd as he won the vacant Minproba light flyweight title by a convincing unanimous decision win over Ian Ligutan of Tandag City.

Garde dominated the 8-rounder bout by landing more powerful punches to improve his record to 7-3-2 while Ligutan dropped to 6-5-2.

The “Bakbakan sa Pres. Roxas” boxing event was presented by the MB Boxing Promotions in commemoration of Pres. Roxas fiesta. It was supported by Mayor Jaime Mahimpit, Barangay Poblacion Pres. Roxas, Barangay Captain John Hervilla, Pepsi Cola, Nature’s Spring, Luky B Pharmacy and Dawn’s Catering.

In the undercard, Joey Antonio won by a split decision over Jessie James Boyles; Holly Quinones scored a unanimous decision against Sonny Basanez; and Rogelio Boyles survived against Arnold Montales by a majority decision.

CHAMPION ALSO. Promoter Jilson Basang (2nd from left) raises the hand of newly-crowned Minproba junior flyweight champion Arnold Garde of Pres. Roxas, who won by a convincing unanimous decision on Ian Ligutan of Tandag City. Others in photo are (from left) referee Ronnie Mondejar, promoter Erwin Maderazo from Singapore and Minproba supervisor Romy Fordeliza.