THE Philippines won the World Cup of Boxing yesterday, unseating defending champion Mexico, 5-1, at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California (not Texas as reported last Sunday).
However, the Philippines was denied the icing of the cake after Rey ?Boom-Boom? Bautista (23-1, 17 KOs), the 21-year-old Boholano phenomenon, lost to Daniel Ponce de Leon (32-1, 29 KOs) by a technical knockout at the 2:30 mark of the first round, the country?s lone but most hurting loss.
It was the first defeat for Bautista, who was 23-0 going into his first world title fight.
Bautista, who was given a good chance to win the WBO junior featherweight title, was no match for de Leon?s powerful punches and the reed-thin ALA Boy walked into a right straight that zapped all of the Filipino fighter?s energy.
Pinoy fans at the Arco Arena and the millions watching in the country held their breath as Bautista tumbled on his toes and clung dizzily on the ropes before he could straighten up, while the mandatory count was administered.
As the fight continued, de Leon threw another barrage of punches and sent Bautista once more to the canvas and referee Jon Schorle stepped in and didn?t even bother to start the count as he ended the contest prematurely.
?This is not for me. This is for Mexico. I had great preparation and a great training camp. I felt when I connected, I knew this was it. This is just the beginning for me,? De Leon told the Associated Press after the fight.
It was mayhem from the start with De Leon showing his youthful challenger who was the boss inside the ring.
Bautista gamely traded punches after punches but the Tahamuhara warrior clearly ganined the edge by throwing and landing more shots.
The Philippines however, saw a new world champion in Gerry Pe?alosa, the oldest fighter in the six-man team, as the Cebu City-raised fighter annexed the WBO bantamweight title with a seventh-round KO of Johnny Gonzales.
Z ?The Dream? Gorres (27-2-1, 15 KOs) also scored a TKO win on the eighth round over former world champion Eric Ortiz (26-7-1, 17 KOs) to win the IBF intercontinental super flyweight belt.
The ring physician advised Raul Caiz Sr. to stop the bout in the eighth after Gorres opened a huge cut over Ortiz?s left eye with a legal blow. Ortiz also had a huge welt on his right temple when the fight was stopped with 45 seconds left in round.
Proud
?I felt so proud of him because he went through with all the trials before this fight. I felt scared but when I saw his determination, I was relieved,? said the 23-year-old wife of Gorres, Datchess, who watched the live telecast of the fight together with their eldest son Dheybert at the ALAGC Compound in Nasipit, Talamban.
Gorres? win earned the Philippines the $500,000 World Cup with still the two championship fights to go.
Another outstanding victory was delivered by the 18-year-old AJ ?Bazooka? Banal (14-0-1, 11 KOs) who made mincemeat out of the 25-year-old Jorge Cardenas (9-4-3, 6 KOs), who could not continue after he twisted his right ankle and had to be carried out of the ring.
The Cebu City fighter was all over his taller opponent, showing his great skills and punching prowess and dropped Cardenas in the third round with a right.
Cardenas hurt his ankle in his fall and referee Jack Reiss had to stop the contest at the 28-second mark of the third round as the Mexican fighter was already wrenching in pain.
Roll
US-based Diosdado ?Prince? Gabi (30-3-1, 21KOs) of Davao City started the winning roll of the Filipinos following a lopsided 80-72 unanimous scoring from all three judges over Jose Angel Beranza, while Sultan Kudarat fighter Michael Domingo (32-14-2, 12KOs) made it 2-0 with a shut out 60-54 scores from three judges over the formerly undefeated Miguel Roman (22-1, 16KOs)
Meanwhile, President Arroyo praised the Filipino boxers for beating their Mexican counterparts.
Mrs. Arroyo said she joined the nation in congratulating the Filipino fighters for their victory over Mexico.
?We value our champions as symbols of Filipino excellence and persistence. They serve as role models for our youth while inspiring the rest of us to work hard for a more united and triumphant future,? she said in a text message forwarded by Cebu City councilor Sylvan ?Jack? Jakosalem to Sun.Star Cebu.
The Cebu City Council is also planning for a victory party for the Filipino contingent when they come back.
?Cebu City will be preparing something for the boxers. I guess we will be coordinating with Mandaue for the victory party,? Jakosalem said.
