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LUNAS WINS OPBF BANTAM BELT
By Joe Koizumi
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Jan 2007
TOKYO, JAPAN -- It was a stunning result. OPBF#10 ranked Japan-based Filipino Rolly Matsushita Lunas (21-6-1, 11 KOs), 117.5, captured the OPBF bantamweight belt as he floored highly regarded WBC#4/WBA#12 ex-WBC fly champ Malcolm Tunacao (21-2-1, 14 KOs), 117.5, with a vicious right in the second, rocked him in the seventh and was awarded a majority technical decision (97-94, 97-95 and 95-95) at the end of the tenth round in a scheduled twelve on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.
It was a rare confrontation of Filipinos fighting for the OPBF belt in Japan. Tunacao might have been overconfident by underestimating the highly motivated compatriot Lunas, who amazingly landed a strong and well-timed right to the southpaw champ. Tunacao downed on the seat of his pants, and smilingly stood up to resume fighting.
Tunacao had suffered an only defeat at the hand of the current WBC fly champ Pongsaklek Wonjongkam via first round stoppage in Thailand in 2001, but remained unbeaten with ten wins and a couple of draws in 12 bouts since. Tunacao, making his third defense, was neither sharp nor smart tonight, as he stood carelessly in front of the less skillful but desperate hard-puncher Lunas without moving side to side. Tuancao was in command in the fourth through sixth, but Lunas was more aggressive and effective in the seventh, ninth and tenth.
Tunacao sustained a gash between the eyes due to a head-collision in the fifth, and another on the forehead in the ninth and two more in the tenth. The champ himself appealed to the ringside physician that he would not be able to go on because of the four bad lacerations, so a technical decision was duly taken. Tunacao, managed by Japanese businessman Yasuo Matsuoka, might have misunderstood he had been leading on points by outmaneuvering the rugged challenger, who, however, looked more positive and aggressive at the point of stoppage. It was a bitter defeat for the 28-year-old Tunacao, who has made Japan his second home turf.
Promoter: Tokashiki Promotions.
(1-13-07)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joe Koizumi.
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