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FILIPINO JOHN MARK APOLINARIO IS THE NEW WBO ORIENTAL SUPERFLYWEIGHT CHAMPION


PhilBoxing.com





INDONESIAN DAUD YORDAN WINS IMPRESSIVELY IN HIS PHILIPPINE DEBUT

Last Sunday, September 26, John Mark Apolinario (16W-2L, 3KOs) of Yraola Boxing Gym won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental 115-lb. crown at the Arayata Sports Complex, Tanza, Cavite.

The Apolinario-Palicte tiff was the main event of the event entitled ?The Next Prospects V?. The boxing card was composed of 10 explosive matches scheduled for 70 rounds.

Apolinario defeated the equally talented Vincent ?Popeye? Palicte (12W-3L-1D, 5KOs) of the Jupiter Makati Boxing Gym. Palicte was the former World Boxing Council (WBC) International Bantamweight titlist.

Before the scheduled championship battle, it was billed as an evenly-matched fight between two young up-and-coming Filipino boxers. Apolinario had the edge in the number of fights having fought 17 times before his first crack at a regional title. However, Palicte had the advantage of fighting and winning a championship for a regional crown.

The first half of the fight showed Apolinario as the busier fighter, who was always keeping Palicte at bay with his stiff jabs following them up with a variety of punches. The footwork of Apolinario also appeared superior than that of Palicte. Palicte was the stalker while Apolinario was constantly moving around the ring. No serious damage was evident to the faces of both fighters at this stage.

Both fighters started to unload powerful bombs on the 7th and 8th round with Apolinario enjoying very slim edge and Palicte remained in contention to steal the victory.

Starting the 9th canto, Palicte started to fight with a sense of urgency probably sensing that he was behind on the scorecards.

The championship rounds (rounds 10-12) was a beauty as the championship contestants showed their world-class skills, courage and durability.

Both protagonists were technically sound, both in the offense and defense departments. Because of this, none of the 2 appeared to be at the risk of going down at any moment of the match.


After 12 competitive rounds, all 3 judges scored identically at 116-112 all in favour of Apolinario.

WBO Asia-Pacific Vice President Leon Panoncillo, Jr. supervised the main event. The hardworking WBO official revealed to this writer that with the win, Apolinario will definitely land in the next release of the WBO World Rankings in the superflyweight class now ruled by Argentinian Omar Andres Narvaez. He added that the WBO Oriental title is the best vehicle for Filipino boxers to be immediately noticed at the world stage.

The ring officials for the main event were as follows:

Referee : Bruce McTavish
Judges : Salven Lagumbay
Manny Mananquil
Romy Yulo

In the supporting main event, Daud Cino Yordan of Indonesia scored an impressive fifth round knockout over Filipino Christian Avila of the Peewee Vasquez boxing stable of Libon, Albay. The scorecards of the judges, Atty. Danrex Tapdasan (this writer), Atty. Epi Almeda and Engr. Greg Ortega were unnecessary for the outcome of the fight as Yordan caught Avila with a vicious body punch. Avila stayed down as International Referee Silvestre Abainza reached the count of 10 and awarded the KO win for the visiting Indonesian.

The results of the undercard bouts were as follows:

Jeffrey Segara knocked out Rodolfo Salas in the 2nd round;
Adonis Cabalquinto defeated Jury Noda via a 5th round TKO;
Carlos Suello edged Arjet Caballes thru a unanimous decision over 6 rounds;
Aljohn Osabel won via unanimous decision against John Rey Pasaylo;
Michael Rodriguez dominated Richard Garcia after 6 rounds;
Jerwin Ancajas made Leo Guia his latest victim via unanimous decision;
Dennis Tubieron defeated Rey Leprenaum via unanimous decision; and
Froilan Saludar knocked out Mike Romulo.

The boxing promotion was the latest offering of Sammy Gello-ani?s SGG Sports Promotions in partnership with Sampson Boxing LLC. The main corporate sponsor of the spectacular event was Tanduay, ?The No. 1 Rhum?.

Boxing fans, who missed the live boxing show could still catch the fights at the TV program ?Main Event? hosted by the well-respected and popular sports journalist, Ronnie Nathanielz shown on Solar TV-RPN every Sunday, 1 pm. IBC-13 and cable channel Viva Prime also shows the ?Main Event?

(The writer is a lawyer by profession and a Professional Boxing Referee and Judge licensed by the Games and Amusements Board or GAB)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Atty. Danrex Joseph V. Tapdasan.


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