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Philippines, 04 May 2024 |
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Stunning Performance by Rocky Fuentes By Edward Ligas PhilBoxing.com Tue, 08 Jun 2010  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.  |
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