Philippines, 05 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MONTILLA, BARCELONA RETAIN RP CROWNS


PhilBoxing.com


MANILA--One used brute power, while the other boxed with superb brilliancy as each retained his RP title in the co-main events of the "Fight for Love" card Saturday night at the New San Andres Sports and Civic Center.

Manny Pacquiao's favorite sparmate and Philippine lightweight boss Fernando Montilla put down challenger Dexter Delada twice in the second round, survived a knockdown in the third, before taking the bejesus out of Delada with two more knockdowns in the fourth as he retained the RP 135-lb title following a give-and-take war that had the fans enjoying every bit of the action at a card aimed at raising funds for ex-world champ Luisito Espinosa.

After a close opening round, the Indonesia-born Montilla immediately got down to business with a big right uppercut that sent Delada on the seat of his pants. A flurry of body shots moments later downed the Cebu fighter once again but the bell sounded to save him from early defeat.

Early in the third, Delada caught Montilla with a big left, sending the defending champ down and troubled. After beating referee Bruce Mctavish's count, Delada went in for the kill, but could not finish off the talented Montilla.

"Delada could have been the RP champ at the moment. I know, as I was counting him, that Montilla was in deep, deep trouble. Delada came so close to knocking Montilla out in the third," said referee Bruce McTavish after the fight.

By the fourth, Delada was caught early by a glancing right that sent him reeling to the ropes and on the seat of his pants. After beating the count, Montilla unleashed crisp punches that ended the bout after Delada was felled by a big left that sent him down face first to the canvas.

RP superfly king Eric Barcelona, now promoted by North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Pi?ol, boxed brilliantly in the early rounds, but had to survive a seventh-round knockdown before eking out a hard-earned split decision win over tough-as-nails Celso Danggod.

After an impressive opening round, Barcelona was warned by referee Virgilio Garcia for low blows in the second, sent down Danggod in the dying moments, although the referee did not rule it a knockdown.

Barcelona coasted to rounds three through five using superior skills, before action was halted in the sixth after a nasty cut on Danggod's head caused by a headbutt started bleeding profusely.

In the ensuing round, Danggod caught Barcelona with three shots to the face capped by a right, sending the defending champ down for the count. Both were downed in the canvas in the dying seconds after wrestling each other.

Barcelona took rounds eighth and ninth, but what seemed like a knockdown scored by Danggod in the tenth round was not ruled legit.

Danggod then took the initiative in the penultimate round, as a big welt started to get noticeably visible in Barcelona's left eye.

Barcelona then coasted through the last round, and even scored what seemed like a knockdown which was not ruled such by the referee.

Barcelona, which will most likely vie for the Pan-Asian Boxing Association superfly title in December, took a split decision win via scores of 113-112 (Epe Almeda), 115-111 (Henry Verniz) while Ricardo Canlas saw it 112-114 in favor of Danggod.

In the other bouts, Robert Rubillar prevailed on a split decision win over Dennis Juntillano; Albert Alcoy took a majority decision verdict over Rex Penalosa; Tommy Terado stopped Danny Linasa after three knockdowns in the 8th; Mercito Gesta drew with Rey Llagas in the second round; Rommel Bongon won by split decision over Edrin Dapudong.

Meanwhile, a young fighter from Sarangani Province, Reche Mepranum, a protege of the Mayor Lopez Stable, impressed ringsiders after his four-round unanimous decision over Jose Samson Martin Jr.
END


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 11 - ALI GETS BACK HIS BOXING LICENSE, WINS OVER QUARRY, BONAVENA AND ELLIS
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 4 AUGUST 2025: Canizales Stops Pradabsri in Caracas; Duarte Outpoints Sims; Prograis Edges Diaz; Ancajas Wins in US Return
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Unforgettable Moments with the Champions
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • IT’S A “HOMECOMING” FOR FIVE-TIME WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER MARICELA CORNEJO FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 AT LEGENDS CASINO
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • HERNANDEZ STOPS GARNETT IN TENTH ROUND IN MAIN EVENT OF CHRISTY MARTIN PROMOTIONS’ “MAYHEM IN MUSIC CITY 2”
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • YOELVIS GOMEZ READY TO SHINE IN RETURN BOUT AGAINST EDWINE HUMAINE JUNIOR
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Team USA’s Youth High Performance Team made a major statement in Germany
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Adam wins 2nd BBG 300 Ultra Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Legendary boxing trainer John Brown honored by Kansas City Royals
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • All or nothing for Jerwin
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 04 Aug 2025
  • Triumphant Return: Jerwin Ancajas Defeats Casero in Los Angeles, Good Job!
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 04 Aug 2025
  • IM Concio Sweeps Kamatyas Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 04 Aug 2025
  • OSCAR "LA MIGRAÑA" DUARTE STUNS HOMETOWN FAVORITE KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS JR. WITH MAJORITY DECISION VICTORY
    , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • JERWIN ANCAJAS DEFEATS RUBEN CASERO IN CALIFORNIA
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • The Bout Outside The Ring: Boxing and the Filipino Struggle for Legitimacy
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • Filipino FIDE Master Roel Abelgas finishes second in Hongkong rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • Cañizales defeats Pradabsri and wins WBC title in Venezuela
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • PH's Nouri snags blitz gold in Asian Amateur Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Boxer
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Duarte vs. Sims Jr. Title Eliminator Official: All Fighters Make Weight in Chicago
    , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • ALLEN v MAKHMUDOV, SUGAR NUNEZ IN MEXICO AND MORE AS MATCHROOM BOXING CONFIRMS HUGE AUTUMN LINE-UP – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Undaloc Jr. leads BBG 300 Ultra Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Round One: Dr. Bernard Remollino Brings Pancho Villa Back Into the Ring
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • Panya Pradabsri, Carlos Cañizales Make Weight for WBC 108 World Title Rematch in Venezuela
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • “NOWHERE TO RUN” OSCAR “LA MIGRAÑA” DUARTE VS. KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 01 Aug 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.