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Magbanua loses to Barcelona in first superbantam fight


PhilBoxing.com


Rolando “Smooth Operator” Magbanua’s initial foray into the super bantamweight division resulted in a sad loss to Eric “The Maverick” Barcelona Sunday night in a classic case of experience prevailing over youth.

The young Magbanua lost steam early in their 10-round non-title match in Magpet, North Cotabato but gamely fought on in a display of heart and toughness against the grizzled veteran and former Philippine bantamweight champion Barcelona of Valencia City, Bukidnon who won by unanimous decision.

This is the first loss in 18 fights (17 wins, 12 KOs) for the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Interim Bantamweight champion from Pigcawayan who fights out of the Braveheart Boxing Club owned by North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Pi?ol and his brothers.

Vice Gov. Pi?ol, who earlier said that the fight could be a tough one for Magbanua, was saddened by the loss but sees it as a learning experience.

“Our trainers would have to review what happened and see what went wrong. We will definitely ask for a rematch with Barcelona,” Vice Gov. Pi?ol said.

Meanwhile, all other Braveheart boxers who saw action in the fight card prevailed over their opponents.

Undefeated flyweight Jermie “The Worm” Jabel (13 wins, 7KOs, 1 draw) of Pigcawayan won by unanimous decision over Michael Rodriguez of General Santos City while WBO Oriental Miniflyweight Champion Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo (15 wins, 2 losses, 13 KOs) also of Pigcawayan scored a TKO over Jun Tasic of Butuan City in the 8th round.

WBO Oriental Junior Flyweight Champion Edrin "The Sting" Dapudong (22 wins, 2 losses, 13 KOs) of the town of M'lang won over Jayson Geda of Cebu City by unanimous decision and undefeated featherweight Reynaldo Belandres (15 wins, 10 KOs, 2 draws) of Matalam prevailed over Ruben Santillanosa of Upi, Maguindanao also by unanimous decision.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Bautista.


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