Las Vegas, NV. - Allan Tanada 10-1-2 (5 KOs) of Ipil, Zamboanga,
Philippines emerges as the first winner of the Filipino invasion here in Las Vegas. Tanada eked out a tough Majority Decision victory against a sturdy veteran in Juan Ruiz 23-7 (7 KOs) of Newhall, CA. Tanada who turned 20 just yesterday, fought a toe to toe battle against the 32 year old Ruiz who tested him in six grueling rounds here at the Islander Ballroom of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
Tanada who is trained by Nonoy Neri and Buboy Fernandez, initiated the action by pressuring Ruiz in the initial round but the seasoned Ruiz warded off Tanada's early advances by sneaking uppercuts and overhand rights on the Filipino. It was a back and forth action between the two fighters from then on. Tanada stunned Ruiz in the 4th with a vicious uppercut which buckled the veteran. But Ruiz never went down and instead mounted an attack of his own against Tanada. He cornered Tanada numerous times but Tanada was able to escape from it several times in rounds 4 and 5. An accidental clash of heads in the 5th stopped the heated action in the ring momentarily but resumed right away as both fighters were determined to sustain their aggression.
Both fighters slugged it out in the 6th and final round with hooks and uppercuts emanating from both fighters until the final bell. The scores were an even 57 on one card and two scores of 58-56 on two other judges favoring Tanada. The victory was greeted with applause and celebration by Filipinos who are beginning to trek in for tonight's fight featuring two other Filipino fighters in Juan Miguel Elorde and Mercito Gesta who co - headlines tonight's event.
Photo: Allan Tanada (C) throws a right against Juan Ruiz during their bout at the Mandalay Bay Resorts & Casino in Las Vegas Friday night. Photo by Dong Secuya.
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