CEBU CITY?Randy Suico put an end to Thai challenger Muangfahlek Kiatwichean?s comic moves as he scored a brutal fourth-round knockout victory late Wednesday night to retain his Orient-Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super-featherweight crown at the Lapu-Lapu Sports Complex.
Fed up with the Thai?s horsing around, Suico unleashed a furious three-punch combination that was ignited by a crackling uppercut that momentarily froze Kiatwichean, enabling the hometown bet to follow up two more solid blows that landed with full force.
Scoring referee Bruce McTavish wisely put a halt to the fight despite the fact that the Thai was able to beat the count. So hurt was Kiatwichean that ringside doctor Nasser Cruz examined the fallen fighter on the same spot where he went down.
Kiatwichean earned the ire of the mammoth crowd that included Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee by continuous clowning despite being hit by some of Suico?s killer blows. But there was no denying Suico when he was able to pin his cocky foe in a neutral corner in the fourth frame.
The win put Suico right on track for a title shot hopefully against Marco Antonio Barrera, who holds the World Boxing Council 130-lb title.
In the main supporting bout, world No. 1 minimumweight Yukka Gejon hardly perspired in taking out Namchai Thaksinan in less than two rounds. Gejon, a prot?g? of Wakee Salud, has been assured of title shot sometime in September.
Meanwhile, the official weigh-in for Saturday night?s World Boxing Foundation super-lightweight title duel between champion Dindo Casta?ares and Australian Steven Marks, will be held today at the well-equipped ALA Gym.
Casta?ares is making the first defense of the title he won by stopping Latin American Guillermo “Panteras” Mosquera in Auckland, New Zealand, late last year.
Casta?ares? chief handler, Tony Aldeguer, is putting up the show at the Mandaue Sports Complex with the full backing of the local government of Mandaue.
