In Round 12, Araneta Blasts Out Tomogdan Cold to Capture WBC Asia Belt Saturday in Cebu, Philippines

by Carlos Costa

CEBU, Philippines — Just 2 seconds shy to the end of the 12-round rumble, unbeaten world-ranked Filipino puncher Christian Araneta (16-0, 14 KO’s) unleashes a spectacular whooping left-hand blow in form of uppercut that landed with full force in the rushing-in former world-title challenger Jerry Tomogdan (25-10-4, 3 KO’s) to rock him and send him for worrisome 12 minutes to dreamland in one of the most vicious knockouts ever seen at Mandaue Sports Complex in Cebu, Philippines.

Tomogdan fall backwards hard, colliding the back of his head with the floor of the ring in dramatic fashion, prompting the third man Tony Pesons of Cebu – a former military man with 39 years experience as boxing referee – to waived the fight off, and immediately request assistance from ringside doctors Unabia and Bonsubre.

Thankfully, minutes later Tomogdan was moving and regaining consciousness; and upon standing, the worried fans in attendance applauded at him, breathing a sight of relief.

The chilling win made the 23 year-old Araneta, the new WBC Asia Silver Light Flyweight Champion and improves his standings in the world-rankings in the 108 pound division.

One of the stars of the active Omega Boxing Gym of Cebu City, Christian Araneta is currently ranked by the WBA and WBO.

“That punch is what we call ‘a bomb.’ Araneta delivered tonight. He proved that he is made for good things in boxing,” commented well-known Cebuano boxing writer Dong Secuya after the witnessing the thrilling show, which was a joint effort of Omega Boxing and Championships Boxing Development, attended by Philippines GAB Commissioner Eduardo Trinidad, Asian Boxing Federation president and PAT Chairman Naris Singwancha and WBC Asia Secretary General Thailand Royal Army Coronel Damrong Simakajornboon.

 

In co-main feature, undefeated Jaber Zayani (15-0, 8 KO’s) of Saint-Martin-d’Hères in Isère, France, scored a 10-round split decision win over Filipino Eduardo Mancito (16-9-2, 9 KO’s) to capture the vacant WBO Super Featherweight Oriental Strap, a shining new champion belt handed to him by World Boxing Organization (WBO) Vice President Leon Panoncillo Jr. of Hawaii, USA. The third man in charge of the action was referee-lawyer Danrex Tapdasan.

MORE RESULTS FROM CEBU, PHILIPPINES

In a supporting non-title 10-rounder, bantamweight Jobert “Little Pacman” Alvarez (18-2-2, 7 KO’s) of General Santos City scored a split decision win over journeyman Gerpaul Valero (22-22-4, 16 KO’s) of Mandaue. It was a dull affair in which some fans might have fall asleep.

However, in the most entertaining battle of the evening, Kawelo Alcos (2-0, 1 KO) born in Hawaii, U.S.A. recorded a 4-round majority decision win over debutant Patrick Dakay of Cebu City. Kawelo is trained in Honolulu by the experienced Hawaii boxing trainer Bobby “Ladykillah” Villaver, the most popular and busy boxing coach in the Aloha State.

In another battle, 19 year-old Adrian Lerasan (6-2, 1 KO) of Antipolo City, Rizal, apparently twisted his right ankle abandoning his scheduled 8-rounder war against 21 year-old Pociano Remandiman (8-4-1, 3 KO’s) of Leyte. Nevertheless, minutes later Lerasan was seeing climbing down the ring, walking seemingly fine. The GAB official result was a TKO win in favor of Remandiman. Official GAB Time of stoppage was 48 seconds of round 7.

Also, Super bantamweight puncher Marjon “The Journey” Piencenaves (6-0-1, 4 KO’s) keeps his unbeaten record unblemished as he recorded a 6-rounder unanimous decision win over 20 year-old local Mandaue fighter Jeffrey Stella (4-6-2, 4 KO’s) .

And in the first bout of the evening, Cebuano Super Featherweight Carlo Bacaro (2-0, 2 KO) needed only two minutes and 7 seconds to vaporize Mandaue debutant Matthew Fondales of the Philippine-Australian Boxing Stable.

In attendance during the Saturday evening of boxing at Mandaue Sports Complex was Atty. Ramil Labing, Chairman of the Cebu Province Sports Commission and Mandaue City Councilor Carmelino Del Mar Jr.

Also present enjoying boxing were Filipino reigning world titlist WBA Interim Featherweight Champion Jhack Tepora of the Omega Boxing Gym, and newly crowned WBO Minimumweight World Champion Vic Saludar (18-3, 10 KO’s). Saludar was with his promoter Kenneth Rontal of CBD Boxing Promotions.

Supervisors for the Philippine Games and Amusement Board (GAB) were GAB Cebu Extention Head Mrs. Arlene M. Olondriz, GAB Cebu Boxing Chief Rolando “Lando” Mendoza and GAB Inspector Glenn S. Agena.

Timekeepers for the night were Noel Etcobaner and Rowel Mendoza.

Some members of the sports media in attendance were photographer Lito Tecson, sports reporter Edri Aznar and photographer Levi Deresas among others.

The exciting boxing show billed as “Double Rumble” Saturday (Aug 18) was a production of Omega Boxing Vice President Jerome Calatrava in partnership with Cagayan de Oro’s Boxing Championship Development.

Main sponsors for the event are: Omega Pain Killer and Ethyl Alcohol Casino.

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama-born Fight Reporter based in Cebu, Philippines. He attended this boxing event. Carlos can be reached by email: Carlos512@hotmail.com and WhatsApp/Viber: +639184538152.

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