Cebu pugs dominate Smart/ABAP tourney

ORMOC City , Philippines  – For years Cebu has been labeled as hotbed of professional boxing. From now on though, add amateurs as their expertise in producing world class talent.

Thursday night in this city, Cebu captured the first ever Smart/ABAP Visayas Area Amateur Boxing Championship in scintillating fashion as they dominated the tournament usually ruled by Bago City-based fighters.

Cebu sent 17 fighters to the finals, while Bago had 14. The two cities had six face-offs in this four-division tournament backed by Ormoc City Mayor Eric Codilla and Kananga town chief executive Elmer Codilla, who hosted the first two days of the event.

Cebu won four of those six showdowns.

Bago won the first three championship bouts with Ian Lescano dominating Cebu’s Melmark Dignos, 11-6 in the Kids Division’s 28 kgs. event and Ryan James Flores scoring a close 9-7 win over Ronald Ellenas in the 29 kgs. class. Bago’s Niel Tambanillo tallied the first stoppage win, scoring an RSC at 1:29 of the first round over Bernard Arandilla of Negros Occidental.

Cebu started their rampage when Margarito Moya came from behind and won a close 9-8 verdict over Bago’s Charlie Panes in the Kids 31 kgs. class.

Emerging boxing power Bacolod City finished third overall in the tournament highlighted by the impressive 16-2 victory by Juren Labordo over Cebu’s Velmark Dignos in the 37-38.5 kgs. category of the School Boys division.

Cebu’s 13-year-old fighter Jack Tepora showed exciting promise as a potential national team member by taking the gold in the 38.5-40 kgs. School Boys as he decisioned Alvin Sibuga of Bacolod City, 22-7. Tepora was later adjudged Best Boxer in the School Boys division.

The Cebuanos, meanwhile are being coached by former professional fighter Rey Orais and ex-amateur standout Efren Tabanas.   (THE FREEMAN)