Petalcurin all geared up for world title shot

MANILA, Philippines - Randy Petalcurin successfully defended his Pan-Asian Boxing Association (PABA) light flyweight belt against tough Samartlek Chaiyong-gym of Thailand Saturday, then declared he’s ready for a crack at a world title crown.

“Handa na po tayong lumaban para sa world title (We’re now ready to fight for the world title),” Petalcurin said after outclassing the Thai in the 12-round bout headlining the Pinoy Knockout card presented by AKTV at the Mandaluyong Gym.

Petalcurin knocked down Chaiyong-gym thrice to highlight his domination of his Thai rival, earning him a unanimous decision.

A fighter blessed with speed, power and style, the Gen. Santos City native decked Chaiyong-gym in the third, eighth and ninth rounds.

“Ang tibay, di magiba (He’s tough. He won’t crack),” said Patalcurin of his opponent who kept on coming back when he would appear to have been knocked out.

“Maybe, Randy could have knocked him out had he gone more to the body a little bit more,” said American trainer Rick Staheli. “But it’s nice to see him go 12. It would help.”

Jhuriel Ramonal and Ariel Delgado again fought to a technical draw in the main supporting bout of the fight card presented by AKTV on IBC-13. They had a previous fight that also ended in a draw.

In another fight, Jimmy Aducal sent the crowd at the venue roaring with a fifth-round stoppage of Mike Espanosa.

Aducal punished Espanosa with body blows early then went for the head to finish him off.

Petalcurin tried to do the same but Chaiyong-gym proved tougher with the Filipino settling for a unanimous decision that improved his record to 17 wins, including 13 KOs, against one loss.

The 27-year-old Chaiyong-gym, ranked No. 10 by the International Boxing Federation, took a fourth loss against eight wins.

Ber Abainza scored it 119-106, Gil Co 118-107 and a Thai judge 116-109 for the Filipino.

Petalcurin sent Chaiyong-gym to the canvas first in the third round with a left uppercut followed up by a right cross. He felled the Thai two more times but the latter wouldn’t give up, launching wild attacks in a bid to salvage the fight in the closing rounds.

Petalcurin connected with a booming left uppercut that sent the Thai reeling to the ropes before going down in the eighth round.

In the next round, Chaiyong-gym went down again as he ran smack to a left straight by Petalcurin while on the attack.

Petalcurin took the vacant WBC Asia Boxing Council Continental title via a first-round knockout of Yodchingchai Sithkonnapha in June last year.

He won the PABA interim title last August against Michael Rodriguez via an eighth-round disqualification. In September, he scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Arnel Tadena. He also knocked out Jhera Tuyor in the second round during his last fight in October.