| |
|
ROLLY LUNAS REGAINS OPBF BANTAM TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Mon, 01 Aug 2011

The Philippines Rolly Lunas who fights under the name Rolly Matsushita has regained the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight title he once held by scoring an 8th round knockout over countryman Zerofit Jerope Mercado who also fights under the Japanese name of Zuiyama.
The fight took place on Sunday at the Sambo Hall in Kobe, Japan. The end came at 0:58 seconds of the eighth round.
The 27 year old Lucas regained the title after fellow Filipino and former world flyweight champion Malcolm Tunacao relinquished the crown last June 11. Lucas won the 118 pound title with a ten round technical decision over Tunacao on January 13, 2007 and had four successful defenses before he challenged Anselmo Moreno for the world WBA title .He lost by a unanimous twelve round decision on October 30, 2008.
Tunacao regained the title he lost to Lucas with a twelve round split decision over Seung Suk Chae of South Korea on February 6, 2010.He had three successful defenses before relinquishing the title.
In a roller coaster career Lunas moved up to super bantamweight and won the OPBF belt with a twelve round split decision win over Wethya Sakmuangklang of Thailand on January 11, 2009 only to lose the title in his first defense when he suffered a 7th round knockout at the hands of Japan?s Hiromasa Ohashi onJune 21, 2009.
Lucas who was coming off a 1st round TKO of Indonesia?s Rasmanudin last April 24 proved too good for Mercado who had a string of 13 wins and 2 draws after losing the Philippine super flyweight title to Eden Sonsona by a 9th round TKO on October 14, 2006.
With the win Lucas improves to 29-8[1 with 17 knockouts while the 31 year old Mercado drops to 23-2-3 with 8knockouts.
Top photo: Rolly 'Matsushita' Lunas (L) in action.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Deaño settles to a draw By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow , Sun, 28 Jun 2026WBC declares German Agit Kabayel new WBC heavyweight champion after Usyk relinquishes his title By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 28 Jun 20264th Gov. RST MMA Slugfest on July 3 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026Chezka Centeno ready for world 10-ball title defense By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis: Breakout Moment in Brooklyn By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026GAB Must Look Into Exploitation of Rated Filipino Fighters in Japan By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026TITLE FIGHT ON: Zayas and "Boots" Ennis Hit the Scales for Brooklyn Super-Welterweight Showdown By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026USC's Galen Center confirmed as Martinez-Plantic, Lopez-Carrillo venue August 29, live on ProBoxTV , Sat, 27 Jun 2026July 4: Albert Bell Steps In to Challenge Abdullah Mason in All-Ohio WBO Lightweight World Title Showdown at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center LIVE on TNT and DAZN , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Zamboanga relinquishes her ONE Women’s title By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Top-ranked Charly Suarez facing Manuel Avila, plus two more fights added to July 18 ProBoxTV event , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Yanon fights Kaji in Tokyo on July 4 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Preparations underway for 2026 IBA men’s divisional continental championships , Fri, 26 Jun 2026Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27 By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026Luke Littler and Ben Whittaker join forces as Matchroom Sport takes over New York City , Thu, 25 Jun 2026IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026Boxers did it first: IBA President welcomes IOC’s decision on allocating funds among athletes , Thu, 25 Jun 2026PH national now ready for Asia-Oceania Sambo By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING , Thu, 25 Jun 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan arrive for Asia & Oceania Sambo Tournament By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026Mexican Hall of Fame Legend Carlos Zarate undergoes surgery in Mexico By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026IM Arca to see action in 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026 in Shenzhen,China By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|