DIALE, GOMERA ARE CHAMPS AGAIN

GAB Chairman Baham Mitra (2nd from left) and Puerto Princesa City Vice Mayor Luis Marcaida raising the hands of new WBC International light super flyweight champion Ardin Diale at the Pueto Princesa City Coliseum last Dec. 3. Also in photo is Japanese promoter Ryuta Kato of United Boxing International Promotions.

By LITO DELOS REYES

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY (Dec. 4) – Ardin “The Jackal”” Diale and Jilbert Gomera are champions again.

Diale, a former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) flyweight champion scored a convincing unanimous decision victory against current WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council light flyweight champion Michael “Blade” Enriquez to capture the vacant WBC International super flyweight crown last Saturday night at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum here.

The 12-rounder started slow before Diale dominated the fight at the start of the 3^rd round only. But that was only after he injured right hand.

“Masakit talaga yung kamay ko kapag isusuntok dahil nasugatan na siya sa 3^rd round pa lang,” said Diale.

Enriquez started strong and was more aggressive in the first round. But Diale used his vast experience to improve his record to ….

Enriquez dropped to ……

The main supporting bout for the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation featherweight crown between Jilbert Gomera and Edward Mansito turned out to be more exciting to watch.

It was bloody with both boxers inflicted by cuts on their eyebrows due to an accidental headbutt. Both of them also scored a knockdown in separate rounds.

“It was a very good fight and a very close one,” said international matchmaker Brico Santig.

Gomera was first knockdown as he almost fell outside the ropes in the second round. But he came back strong in the next three rounds with his left-right hooks.

In the 7^th round, Gomera knocked down Mansito with his left hook. Gomera again sent down Mansito with his solid left in the 10^th and final round.

Vice Mayor Luis Marcaida awarded Gomera with a golden belt together with GAB Chairman Abraham Khalil “Baham” Mitra, a former governor and congressman of Palawan.

The boxing card dubbed as “Bakbakan sa Palawan” was promoted by the United Boxing International Promotions of Ryuta Kato with Warren Evison as the matchmaker. It was supported by City Mayor Lucilo Bayron, Max’s Fried Chicken and GAB.

In the undercard, Alejandro Anas bombarded Japanese neophyte Shin Ishikawa with left-right combinations to score a technical knockout win in 2:02 of the second round.

“Kailangan kong ihinto agad ang laban upang wag masaktan pa lalo yung Hapon,” said referee Howell Hanuca.

The curtain raiser also ended up quickly as Romeo Tenorio stopped Robert Mendanio with a left hook to the head for the knockout in the opening round.

Cash prizes were also earlier awarded by Mitra, Marciada and several barangay officials to the winners and losers of 11 amateur boxing bouts.

“They are the future professional boxers of Palawan,” Mitra said.

Referee Oliver Garcia (2nd from right) raises the hand of new PBF featherweight champion Jilbert Gomera.

Japanese Promoter Ryuta Kato (2nd from left) and matchmaker Warren Evison (extreme right) with IBF World flyweight champion John Riel “Quadro Alas” Casimero (extreme left) and interim OPBF super flyweight champion Rene “Commander” Dacquel (extreme right).