Roli Gasca of the ALA Boxing Gym defied all odds to beat Thai hero Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat via sixth round knockout yesterday in their scheduled 12-rounder in Buriram, Thailand.
Gasca proved too much for the WBA no. 3-ranked Rachawat, who could not keep up with the side-to-side movements and the variety of punches thrown by the Barili, Cebu raised fighter.
Boxing patron Antonio L. Aldeguer, who told us prior to the fight that his ward was in tremendous shape going into war, said he was extremely pleased with Gasca's performance.
"I told him this is your chance, and the only way to win is to knock your opponent out. Im happy he did just that," Aldeguer said in an interview yesterday.
Rachawat was actually groomed to vie for the world title had he beaten Gasca, but with the loss, the world title dream is definitely off while the Cebuano fighter is sure to barge into the top 10 of the WBA ratings.
With the win, Gasca improved to 14-1 with 2 KO's, while Rachawat, who absorbed his first loss since 2005, slipped to 34-2, 23 KO's. The Cebuano fighter is also assured of a future stint in ALA Promotions' "Pinoy Pride" series.
Gasca was accompanied into the fight by trainer Joseph Baldago and ALA press relations chief Chad Canares.
Team Gasca is slated to arrive tonight from Bangkok.
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