Newly – crowned RP junior welterweight champion Bart Abapo scored a bloody victory Thursday night in Ilsan, Kyungkido Province, South Korea.
Abapo kept a slim lead against the Korean champion Dong Geun Jan when the Cebuano got hit by an accidental head butt in the eight of the scheduled 10-round, non-title fight.
The profuse bleeding suffered by the ALA Gym fighter forced the referee to stop the fight. Abapo was then declared winner as he was ahead in the scorecards of all three judges.
The Korean was aggressive at the opening bell as he darted immediately toward the Cebuano. Abapo, gifted with excellent technical skills, kept the bullying opponent at bay with accurate jabs and stingy rights.
Hell broke loose in the fifth round when both fighters stood toe-to-toe hitting each other at will. However, the better defensive stance of Abapo gave him the edge in scoring points.
In frustration, Dong changed tactics at the start of the eighth, but his head rammed above Abapo’s left eye that caused a deep cut.
Abapo was crowned RP champion last March 5 when he scored an eighth-round TKO win over Rex Marzan at the Island Mall in Tagbilaran City.
A member of the New Generation ALA Boys 2002, Abapo improved to 17 wins against three losses and two draws. Eleven of his victories were by knockout.
Abapo, who left for South Korea almost unnoticed by boxing followers, will return tonight and is expected to reveal his ring exploits in Korea.
