JAPANESE INVASION IN MANDALUYONG

NEW CHAMPION. WBC Asia supervisor Kiate Sirigul (2nd from left) raising thie hand of new WBC Asian Silver flyweight champion Erika Hanawa. Others in photo are (from left) co-promoter Brico Santig, trainer Hiro Bandoh and Union International Boxing Promotion’s Warren Elliot.

By LITO DELOS REYES

JAPANESE fighters Masazumi Furukawa and Erika Hanawa both invaded Mandaluyong City by storm as they scored contrasting wins against their Filipino rivals in the double main-header of the United Cup 12 boxing promotion last Friday night at at the Mandaluyong Elementary School.
Comebacking Furukawa lived up to his early prediction by knocking out Geboi Mansalayao of Cagayan de Oro in just 1:37 of the first round.
The 40-year old Furukawa immediately hit a solid body punch to knock down Mansalayao first at the start of the opening round. The Filipino still managed to stand up but was again hit by body shots for the knockout.
Furukawa earned the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Asian Boxing Council Silver flyweight title and improved his record to 8 wins with 3 knockouts against 7 loses and 2 draws.
Hanawa, on the other hand, had to use her speedy punches to survive against the hard-fighting Kristine “Lady Iron Fists” Latube and won by a unanimous decision in their 6-round battle for the vacant WBC Asia Silver female atomweight title.
Hanawa, who earlier wanted to win by a KO, remained undefeated with 5 straight wins with 1 KO while Latube dropped
The 25-year old Hanawa could not believe at first that she had won the fight because her nosed was bloodied by Latube’s solid punches in the third round already.
Latube, however lost her composure and was already tired in the last two rounds.
“Naubusan ako nag lakas dahil nagka LBM at sumakit talaga ang tiyan ko,” said the 24-year old Latube, who suffered her 10th loss aganst one loss and two draws.
Latube previously lost to Yunoka Furukawa by a technical knockout in the 7th round held at the Meenayothin Camp in Bangkok last February 21 for the vacant OPBF female flyweight title.

“She (Latube) was really strong but Erika got the speed and more punches,” said Hanawa’s trainer Hiro Bandoh.

WBC Asia supervisor Kiate Sirigul and Union International Boxing Promotions’ Warren Elliot awarded the belts and trophies, respectively. They were assisted by co-promoter Brico Santig of Highland Promotion.
UNDERCARD
Former WBC Asia minimumweight champion Roilo Golez of Comval Province successfully made a comeback by a shocking 5th round knockout against Dayer Babutan of Mountain Province in the undercard.
After he got a cut on his right eyebrow due to an accidental headbutt in the 3rd round, Golez then launched an attack on his much-taller opponent. Despite being hit by Babutan’s jabs, Golez continued to keep closer until he finally caught him with a vicious left hook on the jaw.
“Ganun talaga ang boksing, meron talagang disgrasya,” said trainer Joven Jorda.
Meanwhile, United Stable’s Richard Claveras made a successful debut as a flyweight via a 9th round TKO win over John Juan Purisima of General Santos City.
Claveras, who kept hitting Purisima with low blows, improved to 15 wins-2 loses-2 draws-13 Kos. Purisima dropped to 11-9-1.
The other results:
Bener Santig of La Trinidad def. Alimar Francisco of Mandaluyong by TKO in 29 seconds of 3rd round.
Milven Mananquil of Manila settled a split draw with John Michael Zulueta of Bacolod.
Edward Mancito of Manila def. Julius Bala of Paranaque by a TKO during the rest period of 2nd round.