Gumban downs foe in one round, snatches Phl crown

CEBU, Philippines – Unbeaten ALA Gym stalwart Melvin ‘Top Gun’ Gumban (19-0, 10KOs) scored a spectacular first round knockout of Weljan Ugbaniel (13-3, 4KOs) to capture the Philippine super flyweight crown in the main event of ALA Promotions' annual Sinulog Boxing Festival the other night at the Gaisano Countrymall carpark.

The 24-year-old Gumban landed a perfectly timed left uppercut to the rib that sent Ugbaniel down on the canvass. Ugbaniel was seen grimacing in pain due to the impact of Gumban’s punch, forcing referee Ben Necessario to stop the fight at the 2:59 mark of the opening round.

“I was confident of winning, but I honestly didn’t expect the ending,” said the Escalante City-native fighter. “He was a tough opponent, but I just stick to the fightplan and landed that shot.”

Gumban bared that he is now being groomed to vie for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation  championship this year.“Hopefully this win will open big opportunities for me because I will always be ready to fight for a regional title," said Gumban.

In the equally-exciting supporting bout, 18-year-old Elmo 'Bisdak' Traya (7-1, 6KOs) decked Giovani Rota (7-5, 7KOs) two times before finally finishing off his hapless Butuan City foe in 2:40 of the opening round.

In the other featured bouts, Vicente Casido won by majority decision over Bryan Saamson; Melvin Jerusalem destroyed Rez Padrogane in the second round; Gerald Suico dominated Junrex Saldivia; Michael Estrella outpointed Jonne Burlado; Junder Gregorio outscored Jesson Horteza; while Joepher Montano stopped Junie Villacrusis in the second round.