Philippines, 07 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Stunning Performance by Rocky Fuentes


PhilBoxing.com




It has been three (3) days since Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes retained his crown against a worthy and highly rated Japanese opponent Shigetaka Ikehara at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. I was at the ringside as one of the judges together with a Japanese and Thai. I just want to present the blow by blow account of the exciting fight.

At the start of the first round, both boxers tried to size-up but Fuentes threw combinations to the body of the Japanese. It was a competitive round but Fuentes hit more telling blows. In the second round, Fuentes unleashed a thunderous right overhand to the face of Ikehara which wobbled and almost sent Ikehara down. Ikehara was saved by the bell. In the third round, Fuentes tried to press the Japanese but he was hit by strong straight to the face, the Champ was groggy and almost went down. He was saved by holding continuously the challenger. In the fourth round, Fuentes still looked dazed, again he was tagged by a strong right hook, he was saved by the bell.

In the fifth round, both boxers went toe to toe digging combinations to the body, it was again a competitive round but clearly the champ connected with more telling blows. In the sixth round, the champ dominated the round by throwing combinations to the head and body. In round seven, again both fighters engaged in breath-taking exchange of heavy blows. In the dying seconds of the said round, a vicious right uppercut landed to the jaw of the champ, he was clearly groggy for the third time but survived.

The eight round, we saw the difference, as Fuentes using his superior technical skills, boxing nicely and moving laterally, he wore down the challenger as after the round clearly gasping for his breath. In the next succeeding rounds, the champ controlled the rounds while the Japanese warrior looked frustrated and tired. In the 11th round, before the champ can impose his killer instinct, at exactly 2:09 the corner of the challenger threw in the towel signalling surrender that prevented further punishment. It was a nerve racking and stunning perpormance for the champ. We saw that both warriors were in superb condition but the champ has the will to survive. It was the best fight I witnessed in the flyweight division. Indeed, a fight of the month bout according to renowned matchmaker Joe Koizumi.

In our way back to Cebu, taking the Business Class, this scribe sat beside the champ. I asked the champ regarding the fight. The soft-spoken gladiator from Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, admitted that it was his most difficult fight since he turned pro in 2003. He added that the Japanese warrior hit harder and had him groggy three times. But the only thing that was on his mind, that he was to survive because he is the champion and lot of opportunities waiting for him in the horizon.

Rocky Fuentes has strong chin, hits hard, superior skills and big heart. He has all the tools to be a world champion. Watch out!


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Edward Ligas.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • RESULTS FROM TONIGHT’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” PRESENTED BY SALITA PROMOTIONS & ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT LIVE ON DAZN AT THE TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO
    , Sat, 07 Jun 2025
  • Davis vs De Los Santos: The Fight That Never Was
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 07 Jun 2025
  • 2 Filipino grandmasters join Touchmove chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 07 Jun 2025
  • Keyshawn Davis Fight Canceled After Weight Miss, Mason-Nakathila Elevated to Main Event
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 07 Jun 2025
  • Eumir Marcial Set to Battle Alexis Gaytán in Pacquiao's Comeback Show
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Jun 2025
  • SUNDAY: Fabio Turchi-Milans Volkovs Cruiserweight Showdown Headlines Italy Fight Card LIVE in the U.S. on ESPN+
    , Sat, 07 Jun 2025
  • Bomogao KOs Rubio in 1st round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 07 Jun 2025
  • REYES CUP SET FOR ELECTRIFYING RETURN TO MANILA, OCTOBER 16–19
    , Sat, 07 Jun 2025
  • King's Promotions June 19th Card at Wind Creek Event Center is Postponed Card Rescheduled for September 5th
    , Sat, 07 Jun 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 7 - AMATEUR BOXING CAREER OF MUHAMMAD ALI
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 06 Jun 2025
  • Indiana, Haliburton Do It Again, Pacers Shock OKC on the Road, 111-110
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 06 Jun 2025
  • STAR BOXING PRESENTS SPECIAL PRESS CONFERENCE-MONDAY
    , Fri, 06 Jun 2025
  • Undefeated Super Bantamweight Chavez Barrientes Returns June 7th Against Sharone Carter on Most Valuable Prospects 13 Card
    , Fri, 06 Jun 2025
  • Vasiliy Lomachenko Announces Retirement: A Glorious Chapter Closes in Boxing History
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 06 Jun 2025
  • “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES
    , Fri, 06 Jun 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Returns Home for Inaugural World Title Defense at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
    , Fri, 06 Jun 2025
  • DAZN PRESENTS NEW NO DAYS OFF EPISODE HIGHLIGHTING REIGNING UNIFIED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION FRANCHÓN CREWS-DEZURN
    , Fri, 06 Jun 2025
  • ANTONIO VARGAS PENS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM AND BOXLAB
    , Fri, 06 Jun 2025
  • Antimaro, Jimenez to fight in Japan on June 7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • Keyshawn Davis vs. Edwin De Los Santos Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • “Prospects Collide” Full Card Announced
    , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • Correa Set for High-Stakes Bantamweight Showdown vs. Undefeated Michael Angeletti on ProBox TV
    , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • Kansas Athletic Commission overturns ‘No Contest’ to TKO win for undefeated Super middleweight prospect Marco Romero
    , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • 2nd JCI Senate Lipa Chess Festival set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • RING III: TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR THRILLING JULY 12 NEW YORK DOUBLE HEADER FEATURING STEVENSON-ZEPEDA AND BERLANGA-SHEERAZ
    , Thu, 05 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.