MALULAN WINS WBO YOUTH TITLE IN CLIFF-HANGER!

BAGUIO CITY--Local boy Javier Malulan ran into a smaller foe, but soon found out he was up against a very talented warrior as he was forced to the limit before eking out a hard-fought unanimous decision over Thailand's Saensaknoi Or Muangklang to win the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth flyweight title.

Dubbed 'Great Fights at the Heights,' the event was presented by the Baguio Everlasting Sports Promotion in coordination with Hon. Councilor Rocky Thomas Balisong for the benefit of 10-year-old cornea transplant patient Franz Alison F. Pawe.

Although Saensaknoi weighed only 110 lbs at the weigh-in, he brought his big game to give Malulan fits all throughout the ten-round fight.

Malulan, who is promoted by Everlasting Stable of Raffy Panagan, prevailed over Saensaknoi via scores of 96-95, 96-94 and 98-93.

WBO Vice-President for Asia Pacific Leon Panoncillo, who was ringside to supervise the fight, said that although he saw Malulan as the winner, it was such a close fight that a big margin in favor of Malulan would have been outrageous.

Javier Malulan (left) presses the attack on Saensaknoi in this bit of action from last night's boxing event at the Baguio Convention Center. Photo by Dong Secuya.

Javier Malulan's hands are raised in victory by the referee and Congressman Mauricio Dumugan after Malulan outpointed his Thai opponent. Also in photo are WBO Vice-President for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo and former mayor Vergarra. Photo by Dong Secuya.

Panoncillo said he might order a rematch between the two fighters, as Saensaknoi proved to be such a talented and durable fighter it would be unfair not to give him another crack at Malulan.

"I'm a bit disappointed with Malulan's performance tonight. He did not follow his corner's intructions that well," said Malulan's manager Raffy Panagan, who is used to seeing Malulan win convincingly in his previous fights.

In the chief support, Mating Kilakil figured in a technical draw with Rommel Bongon.

Amor Tino of Everlasting Stable survived a tough Joan De Guia to win via majority decision.

In the night's most applauded fight, Alvin Tam, a promising prospect, prevailed via split decision over Anthony Esmedina.

Other results: Jade Sevillano won by TKO1 over Aldrin Tam; Johnson Luna by unanimous decision over John Naimes; Jun Bolcio by unanimous decision over Jake Sawangin; Japhete Martin by TKO1 over Rodel Bongcato; and Ryan Willis by unanimous decision over Dave Perlas.

The highly-successful event was sponsored by Hon. Congressman Mauricio Domogan, Hon. Mark Jimenez, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), San Miguel Corporation, Veterans Bank, Prime Peak Properties, Camp John Hay Development Corporation, Camp John Hay Manor, Hotel Constancia, Mountainview Cable Network, Hon. Loren Legarda and Hon. Chavit Singson.