PHILIPPINE bantamweight champion Michael Domingo, fresh from a spectacular seventh-round TKO victory over veteran Mexican Alejandro Felix Montiel last Sunday, defends his title against rugged Johnny Lear on July 15 at the Metropolis in Alabang, Muntinlupa.
Domingo, who replaced World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista, put on a performance that made Bautista proud. Bautista was forced to pull out as one of the main attractions on the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios undercard after suffering a virus infection.
Former World Boxing Council super flyweight champion Gerry Pe?alosa, who also scored a big, hard-fought win over tough Mexican Tomas Rojas, said he was impressed by the way Domingo fought.
Since moving to the famed ALA Gym of respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer, Domingo has won his last eight fights. He now has a record of 25-13-3 with 11 knockouts.
His title defense against Lear in what promises to be an excellent fight card has all the makings of a slam-bang affair. Lear, who is ranked no. 2 by the Philippine Games and Amusements Board and no. 8 by the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation, has a record of 15-11-1 with 5 KOs and has won his last five fights, including a unanimous decision over former champion Joel Bauya from whom Domingo won the title.
The Domingo-Lear title fight will be telecast on the top rated weekly boxing show The Main Event at 1 p.m. on July 16 over RPN-9, sponsored by Tanduay, the no. 1 Rhum.
