CEBU CITY -- WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa got his workout and tuneup at the Cebu Coliseum here tonight by scoring a unanimous decision victory over German Meraz of Mexico in preparation for his highly anticipated fight against superbantam champion Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico scheduled on April 25 in Puerto Rico.
In a sleeper of a fight, Meraz showed his skill as a runner more than a fighter as Penalosa was pursuing the bicycle riding Meraz all night. In the second round, Penalosa caught Meraz with a well-time left straight to the face to score the only knockdown of the fight.
The Penalosa-Meraz main event had become an anti-climax to the otherwise highly intense night of boxing featuring the up-and-coming boxers of Braveheart Boxing stable of Vice-Governor Manny Pinol of North Cotabato in front of a sizeable crowd of more than 8,000.
In the main undercard, Rolando Magbanua captured the WBO Interim bantamweight title by scoring a 6th round TKO over Jose Angel Cota of Mexico. Magbanua and Cota engaged in a torrid exchange of blows all throughout but the Cotabato native Magbanua, nicknamed 'Smooth Operator' had always had the upperhand. Cota's corner threw in the towel at 1:08 in the 6th round when Cota could no longer answer Magbanua's onslaught.
Meanwhile, Glenn Poras scored a first round TKO win over Daothon Sissuey of Thailand.
In the most stunning fight of the evening, Jundy Maraon of Braveheart Boxing stable, challenger to Jason Egera's WBO Asia-Pacific bantam title, sent his Egera to the canvas unconscious with a hard left cross at 1:56 of the 3rd round. Egera was administered with an oxygen and brought to the dressing room where he eventually recovered. Maraon thus captured Egera's belt with the knockout victory.
In the most applauded fight of the evening, diminutive Rommel Asenjo of Braveheart stable scored a 2nd round TKO over the much taller Marlon Villanueva who turned his back on Asenjo of after he could longer take Asenjo's torrid attack.
In a suprising upset, hightly regarded Glenn Gonzales of Braveheart stable was upset by Jose Ocampo by unanimous decision.
Other results:
- Jermie Jabel won by UD over Manny Talisic
- Edrin Dapudong won by UD over Ruther del Castillo
- Lorenzo Villanueva won by TKO over Joy Pol in the 2nd round
- Israel Salud drew with Jerry Pahal
- Richard Betos won by TKO over Mike Romulo
- Jestoni Pepito won by split decision over Edison Serrano
Tonight's event dubbed as 'Battle of the Best Bantamweights' was promoted by SSG Promotions of Sammy Gello-ani in partnership with Vice-Governor Pinol's Braveheart Promotions and the giant TV network ABS-CBN.
Top photo: WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa (C) goes into action against German Meraz at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City Saturday night. Looking on is referee Bruce McTavish of New Zealand. Photo by Dong Secuya.
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