ROLLEN Del Castillo may have won the battle against Edmund Velayo by a majority decision after 10-rounds, but his stock didn’t rise any higher.
Del Castillo’s win did not justify the bout’s billing as the main event of the “Kumo sa Kumo: Rambolan sa Bantayan” boxing promotions at Bantayan the Multi-Purpose Center in Bantayan Island last Tuesday evening.
The bout reportedly was a theatrical and choreographed show that disappointed the people of Bantayan and organizer Chad Escario Ca?ares, who watched the two fighters allegedly put up a “staged” fight that saw del Castillo winning 95-93 and 96-93 from judges Noel Flores and Edward Ligas, respectively. The third judge, Celso Miranda, called it even at 96.
“That fight (del Castillo vs. Velayo) was a total contrast from the other fights before them. I am very disappointed but what else could I do, they fought, especially Velayo, that way,” said Ca?ares.
Sun.Star Cebu later learned that Del Castillo and Velayo were sparring partners.
With a predictable outcome after Velayo started his antics and del Castillo allegedly fighting without enthusiasm, people were starting to leave starting the sixth round. The seats were also almost empty at the newly-built venue after the ninth round.
In the other 10-round event, Milan Milendo picked his 12th straight win via technical knockout over Arnel Tadena at the 1:03 mark of the fourth round.
Just as the heat started to rise, Tadena decided to quit after he was hit by a series of combination from the Cagayan de Oro native Milendo.
It was Fernando Otik, a native of Bunacan of Madridejos town, who gave total satisfaction to the crowd as he engaged Danny Boy Bontilao in a heated exchange from start to finish, scoring a unanimous decision win after the eight rounds.
Upset
An upset also racked the card when journeyman Roldan Malinao scored a TKO win at the 1:45 mark of the very first round over former RP team member and erstwhile undefeated Franklin Albia in a scheduled eight-round action.
Malinao, who was clearly overmatched against the skillful Albia, was about to fall after receiving heavy blows to the body when he connected a wayward uppercut to the tip of the chin.
Albia fell to the canvas with a thud but managed to beat the count. However, Malinao was all over him, forcing Albia’s corner to throw in the towel to stop the contest.
Weng Haya also scored a TKO win over Reggie Binueza at the 1:09 mark of the fourth round, while Mark John Yap scored a unanimous decision win over Marjo Borres in the opening six-rounder. encounter.
