Results from Mindanao: Rosales Stops Loperez in Thriller; Rosia Blasts Out Garde; Jakeson Saludar Scores KO in Exciting Fight Night in Maco, Compostela Valley, Philippines

By Carlos Costa

MACO, Compostela Valley — Despite a non-stop heavy rain and recurrent brownouts in the middle of fights, this southern Mindanao City of Maco lived the most thrilling and cool boxing show in recent memory.

Just ask any of the hundreds of fans in attendance and they will tell the tale. The main event and the co-feature were just incredible. Nobody will forget the electrifying evening of fights last Saturday, June 28, at Maco Municipal Gym here in Compostela Valley.

inner and new PBF Flyweight Champio: Renz Rosia

In a clash of titans featuring fantastic back and forth action, “The Jaguar” Renz Rosia (15-8-1, 8 KO’s) of Negros Occidental stopped brave MP Promotions fighter Arnold “The Destroyer” Garde (10-8-3, 4 KO’s) to claim the Philippines Boxing Federation (PBF) Flyweight belt.

Both warriors had their moments, though it was the strong Jaguar Rosia he one to emerge victorious. Official time was 2:48 in round nine. The third man was Elizardo Resma.

Richard Rosales thrilled fans with come from behind knock out Win over Bojnun Loperez

In the unbelievable co-feature, hurt and bleeding big heart Boholano warrior Richard Rosales, taking heavy bombardment and being on the brink of being stopped… in the nick of time turned the tide of destiny in his favor in huge most dramatic fashion by landing the unforgettable devastating one-punch knockout that crushed down MP Promotions fighter Bonjun Loperez.

It all astonishingly unfolded in the final twenty-two seconds of round six, and fans with mouths open could not believe their eyes.

To achieve his amazing win, Rosales went through hell, coming back up from a hard visit to the canvas, fighting his heart out against the tough, well-trained Loperez who at the moment of the KO was bleeding as well.

The referee Alberto Heramil did a terrific job in this fast-paced non-stop action thriller. Ask any fan if they where thrilled to the maximum level, and the answer will be yes. The Rosales vs Loperez riveting battle is a strong candidate to Mindanao’s fight of the year.

WORLD-RANKED FIGHTERS SCORE WINS

Cuarto Wins by KO over Kinaadman, protecting his IBF world ranking

In another knockout result, world-ranked IBF # 7 minimumweight fighter Rene Mark Cuarto (17-2-1, 10 KO’s), recorded an entertaining third chapter stoppage triumph over brave Mike Kinaadman (6-10-2, 4 KO’s) of Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. Official time was 1:25 in round three. Cuarto, 22, of Zamboanga del Norte, is the promising fighter of MP Promotions who recently fought and lost an IBF world title eliminator. Now Cuarto is back in the winning circle.

World-ranked MP Promotions fighter Ronnie Baldonado scores Win by Points

Also, world-ranked IBF # 8 flyweight Ronnie Baldonado (15-1-1, 9 KO’s) of Carmen, Cotabato del Norte, totally outclassed strong-willed Kim Lindog (5-7-1, 4 KO’s) of Bukidnon for a six-stanza unanimous decision win. The three judges at ringside scored the bout 60-54, all in favor or the aggressive Baldonado, who never stopped pressing forward for the knockout. But this time did not get it. The third man in charge was Elizardo Resma.

THE YOUNG SALUDAR BROTHERS FOUGHT IN THE UNDERCARD. HOW DID THEY DO?

Twenty-two year old minimumweight fighter Jakeson Saludar (3-0, 3 KO’s), younger brother of the reigning WBO 105-pound world champion Vic Saludar, scored his third stoppage win in his third fight by rocking out in the opening chapter his Cotabato opponent Gerald Alvarez (4-8-1, 4 KO’s) who was two pounds heavier than him. Jakeson got his foe in trouble and did let him get away, ending things before the first chapter was over.

The promising Jakeson Saludar displayed power, seriousness, good moves an effectiveness throughout the short lived battle, giving a glimpse of the raw diamond he is.

In contrast, his elder brother Van June Saludar (5-2-2, 3 KO’s), who weighed-in at 112 lbs., did not look that great at all in his majority decision draw against Sarangani’s Jobab Lucas (3-1-2, 1 KO), who was also at 112 pounds. Their rather dull 6-rounder match failed to impressed fans. The ref was Alberto Heramil.

MORE RESULTS FROM MACO, COMPOSTELA VALLEY

Moreover, tough super flyweight Jovanie Tagusi (6-2-2, 3 KO’s) of Sarangani Province stopped in three chapters MP fighter Vincent Dayaganon (7-2-2, 1 KO) of nearby Davao City. The rumble was waived by referee Alberto Heramil as Dayaganon did not come out from his corner for next round’s action.

Raven Culentas wins by stoppage. Referee is Rodel Garde

Whats more, unbeaten 19-year-old Davao bantamweight Raven Culentas (5-0-1, 5 KO’s) of the MP Promotions Stable blasted out in three rounds southpaw Vergel “The Hammer” Daguma (9-5, 4 KO’s) of Gensan. Official time of KO was 2:36 in the third chapter. The third man was Rodel Garde.

Super flyweight Justine Darap (7-1, 4 KO’s) stopped unheralded Joey Antonio

Plus, 21-year-old super flyweight Justine Darap (7-1, 4 KO’s) came back from a loss in his prior battle to ravage unheralded Joey Antonio (3-8-4, 0 KO’s) of President Roxas, Cotabato del Norte, for a chapter four knockout win. The referee was Elizardo Resma. Darap is trained by Cebuno coach Brix Flores, a 1986 Asia Games Medalist.

In another exciting battle, Davao 118-pounder Elno Solomon (3-1, 2 KO’s) won a six-round majority decision over 22-year-old combatant Ramel Antaran (3-14, 0 KO’s) of Malungon, Sarangani. The third man was Alberto Heramil.

Plus, minimumweight warrior Richard Garde (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Cotabato del Norte dropped and obliterated unheralded southpaw Reben Ramayan (0-4, 0 KO’s) for a TKO victory in the very first round. Richard Garde, 22, rocked down the brave Ramayan to the canvas. Shortly afterwards, the third man Elizardo Resma stopped the unbalanced contest at the 2:59 second mark in chapter one.

Furthermore, southpaw super featherweight Criztian Pitt Laurente (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Gensan scored his second knockout win by overpowering unheralded Rogelio Boyles (1-6, 0 KO’s) of nearby Panabo, Davao del Norte, dropping Boyles twice in the second round till the referee Rodel Garde intervened. Criztian Pitt Laurente, 19, proved that he is developing his boxing skills, though he has to learn to fight with his mouth close.

In the most boring and awkward bout of the evening, 29-year-old Roman Canto (14-12-3, 8 KO’s) won a narrow majority decision over Romulo Ramayan Jr (7-18-4, 3 KO’s). The third man was Elizardo Resma.

Present during the fights was the reigning WBO Minimuweight World Champion Vic “Vicious” Saludar (19-3, 10 KO’s). Vic Saludar said to fans that his second world title defense is very likely to take place by the end of next month in Puerto Rico.

WBO Bantamweight Oriental Champion Vincent Astrolabio was also in attendance enjoying the evening of good boxing.

All bouts were sanctioned and supervised by the Phiilppine’s Games and Amusement Board (GAB), supervised by GAB Official in Charge for Southern Mindanao Datu Fahd Yasser A. Sinsuat, together with GAB Official John Kenneth Improso.

Ring announcer and master of ceremonies was the entertaining Marlou Neri.

GAB Physician during weigh-in was Dra. Krista Grace Salinel Libo-on. Timekeeper for the show was Jimson Mata and Rosendo. Organizer for MP Promotions is Vanessa Castillano Neri with the cooperation of Wilmart and Eric of the Macao Municipal Government.

The beautiful ring girls Henryieta an Christine did a wonderful, professional work

Billed as “Battle of Champions,” the fight event last Friday, June 28, here in Maco, Compostella Valley, was a production of Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions in association with Maco Vice Mayor Arthur Carlos Voltaire Rimando and the government of the Municipality of Maco in Compostella Valley, Philippines.

Photos by Carlos Costa

The authorCarlos Costa is a Panama veteran man of boxing living permanent the Philippines. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and by whatsapp/viber/messenger/wechat: +639184538152.