Gasca beats Egera in Summit boxing

CEBU, Philippines – Roli Gasca overcame a slow start to eke out a come-from-behind unanimous decision win over Jason Egera at the Summit Natural Drinking Water’s Fight Night Boxing Tour Saturday night at the Gaisano Countrymall carpark.

Gasca couldn’t solve Egera’s aggressive style early in the fight and was tagged by Egera’s hooks. Gasca looked content to counter by feigning left jabs and throwing right leads to the head or the body, but was easily outpunched by the wild swinging Egera.

The fight was a tactical battle between the slugger in Egera and the more technical boxer in Gasca. Egera controlled the first half of the fight with his on-rushing slugging ways before Gasca recovered in time to turn the tide.

The turning point of the fight came at the fifth round. With Egera ahead in two of the three judges’ scorecards, Gasca finally solved Egera’s by being more aggressive and going with combinations to the head and body to outbox the former WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion.

Gasca swept the last five rounds of two judges and last three of the third judge to score the close win. Judges Arnel Pasion and Edgar Olalo scored the fight 96-94, while Edwin Barrientos had it 97-93 for Gasca. Gasca improves his record to 14-1 while Egera, the PBF super bantamweight champ, drops to 12-5.

In the other fights, Along “Boholano Bulldog” Denoy scored a technical knockout win over late-sub Jason Geda when the latter’s corner threw in the towel as Denoy rained Geda with a series of body blows. The end came at 2:31 of the second round.

Undefeated Genesis Servania (9-0), a prospect out of Bacolod, made a successful Cebu debut as he defeated Jestoni Pepito (5-2) via a unanimous decision over eight rounds. Scores were 77-75 twice and 78-74. Jerson Mancio also scored an eight-round unanimous decision win over Roger Echavez (79-73, 78-74, 80-72). Sarry Canonigo of the Sta. Cruz Stable of Talisay, the Manny Pacquiao look-alike thrilled the crowd in an exciting battle, defeating Gerpaul Valero of Phil-Aust Gym by unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the fight 58-56. The Jocel Gestopa-Memar Dula and Joseph Demos-Marlou Sandoval fights both ended in a majority draw.

The Summit Natural Drinking Water’s Fight Night Boxing Tour also featured as series of amateur bouts showcasing aspiring boxers under 16 years old. The boxing event was promoted by ALA Promotions. (THE FREEMAN)