BERWELA STOPS UNBEATEN MATSALI BUT STILL FAILS TO BRING HOME WBC ASIAN BOXING COUNCIL BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE

By LITO DELOS REYES

PHOTO: Newly-crowned WBC Asian Boxing Council bantamweight champion Edison Berwela (center) with trainer Jayvee Alipio (right) and Supanat Chanram of Highland Bangkok Gym.

FILIPINO journeyman Edison “Kamatis” Berwela twice scored a knockdown en route to a 6th round knockout against previously unbeaten Thiranan Matsali of Thailand but still did not brought home the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council bantamweight belt Friday in Pathum Thani, Thailand.
The 34-year old Berwela first downed Matsali in Round 3 before he finally pummeled to submission the crowd-favorite Thai in the 6th round with a left overhang.
But Berwela was more than 1.5 lbs. and was overweight from the required weight limit of 118 lbs.
“Next time I will get the weight,” said Berwela, who improved his record to 16 wins against 37 losses and 8 draws.
It was only the first loss suffered by Matsali, a former IBF Pan Pacific and WBC Asian Boxing Council Silver bantamweight champion. Matsali, also known as Saenganan Sithsaithong dropped to 19 wins with only one loss.
Berwela was coming from a loss by a unanimous decision against reigning PABA super bantamweight champion Anurak Thisa last August 31 at the Bangkok University, Thonburi Campus in Bangkok.
He also fought but lost against PABA super flyweight champion Sutep Wangmuk by a unanimous decision in 2011 in Bangkok.
Berwela went back to Thailand in 2013 only to be stopped by a 6th round TKO by PABA bantamweight champion Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat in Bang Yai.
Berwela then lost in two separate championship fights. He dropped a unanimous decision to fellow Filipino Joe Noynay in their battle for the WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council Super Bantamweight crown at the SM MOA in Pasay on June 5, 2105.
Berwela also lost by a UD to Eranio Semillano in their WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council bantamweight title eliminator on Dec 13, 2015 in Paranaque City.
“I would like to thank boss Brico Santig at my trainer Jayvee Alipio of Highland Boxing Gym,” said Berwela, who was also assisted at the corner by Supanat Chanram of Highland Bangkok Gym.