RAQUINEL KOS NAKAYAMA TO WIN OPBF FLYWEIGHT TITLE

Referee Toshio Sugiyama raises the hand of new OPBF flyweight champion Jar Raquinel with trainer Allan Alegria.

TEXT BY LITO DELOS REYES
PHOTOS BY OBE YASUSHI

THE NEW KING. New OPBF flyweight champion Jar Raquinel is carried by his trainer Alan Alegria, a former Philippine Junior welterweight champion from Davao City.

FILIPINO challenger Jayr Raquinel landed a solid straight to knockout defending Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) flyweight champion Keisuke Nakayama in the 9th round last Tuesday at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Raquinel from the Highland Boxing Gym of La Trinidad, Benguet landed a solid straight to dethrone Nakayama, who was only making his second title defense.
“Masayang masaya po ako dahil natupad na rin po ang pangarap kong maging champion,” said the 21-year old Raquinel.
Nakayama had earlier captured the title via a split decision against Filipino champion Richard Claveras last July 13 at Korakuen Hall. He retained it in his first title defense by only a split draw with another Filipino challenger Jobert Alvarez last October 13 at the same venue.
But this time, the 29-year old Japanese was completely dominated since the start of the 12-round championship fight as Raquinel landed more solid shots in their blow by blow fight.
The two fighters engaged in a close encounter that saw Raquinel landing the more solid punches.
Raquinel, a native from Bacolod City had remained undefeated with nine wins including six knockouts with one draw.
Nakayama, on the other hand, suffered only his third defeat against 10 wins and two draws.
“Maganda ang laban dahil bakbakan talaga sila. Pero mas matibay at mas malakas ang mga suntok ni Raquinel,” said manager Brico Santig of Highland International Boxing Promotions.
Meanwhile, Hidenori Otake of Japan retained his OPBF super bantamweight title via a 10th round technical knockout win against Filipino challenger Brian Lobetania in the co-main event promoted by Kentaro Kaneko of Kaneko Promotions.

Hidenori Otake of Japan retained his OPBF super bantamweight title via a 10th round technical knockout win against Filipino challenger Brian Lobetania.