DUNO, GABALLO KO THAIS TO COP ABCO TITLES

KNOCKOUT, Filipino prospect Romero Duno knockouts Paiboon Lorkan of Thailand in the corner in the second round to win the vacant WBC ABCO super featherweight title on Sept. 10 at the Tupi gym in Tupi, South Cotabato. (Photo by PAUL ANTHONY MOYA)

By LITO DELOS REYES

GEN. SANTOS CITY (Sept. 11) – Hardhitting Romero “Ruthless” Duno and Reymart “Gensan Assassin” Gaballo both knocked out their Thai opponents to capture the two separate vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian Boxing Council Confederation (ABCO) titles Saturday night at the Tupi Gym in Tupi, South Cotabato.

The 20-year old Duno showed no mercy in stopping Paiboon Lorkam in 2:14 of the second round to bag the WBC ABCO super featherweight crown in the main event of the “Battle in Tupi”.

Duno first knocked down Lorkam at the corner in the opening round with a solid body shot. In the second round, Duno downed Lorkam in the same corner before he finally pummelled to submission the elusive Thai.

Referee Ramil Ovalo counted out Lorkam to give Duno his 10^th knockout victory of his 11 wins against only one loss.

“”Duno is a tough fighter and we are looking for a world class opponent in his next fight,” said Jim Claude “JC” Manangquil, chief executive officer of the Sanman Promotions.

Sanman presented the boxing card sponsored by Tupi Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. in celebration of the 63^rd Foundation Day of the municipality of Tupi.

“Gaballo is really a hard puncher. He’s the only Filipino boxer to knock down my boxer,” said Thai matchmaker Narung Hengtrakul.

Lorkam, 37, also bowed but only by unanimous decisions to Filipino boxers AJ Banal, Juan Martin Elorde and Jack Asis.

Gaballo, on the other hand, captured the WBC ABCO bantamweight crown by knocking out Manot Comput in 1:49 of the first round. Gaballo first bombarded Comput with left-right combinations that saw the Thai backpedalling.

Comput tried to land his left jabs but could not hit Gaballo, who later connected a left-right combination to send the Thai down on the canvas. Referee Alberto Heramil counted out Comput, who was still lying down.

“Gaballo showed how great he is. We just need to develop something and he will sure be a problem in his weight class,” said Manangquil.

Gaballo stopped Comput’s two winning streak and gave the 33-year old Thai’s 14^th defeat against 12 wins.

The 20-year old Gaballo is already set to fly to United States next month together with fellow Sanman boxers Mike “Magic” Plania and John Vincent “Mulawin” Moralde, who also both scored knocked outs in the undercard.

The three undefeated fighters will be training already with Cuban coach Moros Fernandez at the Moros gym in Miami, Florida next month.

“I’m sure Coach Moro will develop Gaballo,” said Manangquil.

Plania, a World Boxing Federation International bantamweight champion, connected a solid left on the midsection to drop John Rey de Asis in 39 seconds of the second round. The 19-year old Plania improved to 12 straight wins with five knockouts.

On the other hand, the 22-year old Moralde, the reigning WBF International featherweight champion, hit a left body shot to down Habigis Quinones in 2:57 of the first round only.

Moralde, also a former Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) super bantamweight title-holder, remained unbeaten with 17 straight wins with 8 knockouts. Moralde, a native of Davao City also won the WBC ABCO featherweight crown on March 14, 2015 via a convincing unanimous decision against then-undefeated Australian Brayd Smith in Queensland, Australia.

Two days after, Smith later died after suffering a coma in the hospital.

“Moralde and Plania are also getting ready for their USA invasion and both are looking to make big statements soon,” said Manangquil.

In the other fights, Engelbert “Agila” Moralde of Sanman Stable successfully made his comeback with a unanimous decision win against veteran Jun Eraham of Balot Island, Saranggani Province to improve his record to 9W-3L-0L-6Kos.

Former amateur standout Jason Mama of Bula, Gensan also scored a unanimous decision over Roger Salaton to remain undefeated with four straight wins.

THE WINNER. WBC Asia Supervisot Dr. Nasser Cruz raises the hand of newly-crowned WBC ABCO super bantamweight champion Reymart Gaballo. Others in photo are (from left) trainer Dodong Desabillo, WBC Asia supervisor Dr. Nasser Cruz, promoters JC Manangquil and Dexter “Wangyu” Tan of Sanman Promotion. (Photo by PAUL ANTHONY MOYA)

THE WINNER. Referee Ramil Ovalo raises the hand of newly-crowned WBC ABCO super featherweight champion Romero Duno. Others in photo are (from left) trainer Dodong Desabillo, WBC Asia supervisor Dr. Nasser Cruz, promoters JC Manangquil and Dexter “Wangyu” Tan of Sanman Promotion. (Photo by PAUL ANTHONY MOYA)

Jason Mama (right) of Gensan lands a right straight on Jun Eraham of Balot Island to win by a unanimous decision in their 4-rounder bout. (Photo by PAUL ANTHONY MOYA)

Referee Elizarde Resma raising the hand of comebacking Engelbert “Agila” Moralde.

WBF International featherweight champion John Vincent “Mulawin” Moralde (left) going for a body shot against Hagibis Quinones en route to a first round knockout in their 8-rounder bout. (Photo by PAUL ANTHONY MOYA)

WBF International bantamweight champion Mike “Magic” Plania (left) connecting body shots on Jhon Rey de Asis en route to a second round knockout in their 8-rounder. (Photo by PAUL ANTHONY MOYA)