Tuñacao bids for second title

MANILA, Philippines - It was 13 years ago when Malcolm Tuñacao captured the WBC flyweight crown on a seventh round knockout over Medgeon 3-K Battery and now at 35, the Cebuano nicknamed “Eagle Eye” gets a chance for a second jewel late in his career as he battles WBC bantamweight champion Shinsuke Yamanaka in Kokugikan, Tokyo, on April 8.

If Tuñacao dethrones Yamanaka, he will join only seven Filipinos – Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire Jr., Brian Viloria, Gerry and Dodie Boy Peñalosa, Donnie Nietes and Luisito Espinosa – in claiming world titles in at least two different divisions.

Tuñacao reigned briefly as WBC flyweight king and was stopped in one round by Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in his second defense in Phichit, Thailand, in 2001. He led a troubled life after the setback, broke up with his wife, fought sparingly and even badly wounded his hand which he smashed against a mirror in a fit of anger during a marital quarrel.

But Tuñacao slowly picked up the pieces, relocated to Kobe, Japan, three years ago, found a new manager Masato Yamashita and worked his way back to championship contention. He has won his last 11 outings since losing a technical decision to countryman Rolly Lunas in 2007 and last December, stopped Mexico’s Christian Esquivel at 2:10 of the seventh round to earn the crack at Yamanaka’s throne.

A pro since 1998, Tuñacao realizes he may not get another opportunity to fight for a world title so he’s going all out in preparing for Yamanaka. Experience will be on his side as Tuñacao has compiled a 32-2-3 record, with 20 KOs compared to Yamanaka’s mark of 17-0-2, with 12 KOs. It will be Yamanaka’s third title defense after repulsing challengers Vic Darchinyan and Tomas Rojas. Yamanaka has never fought a Filipino while Tuñacao has beaten 10 Japanese opponents and drawn with two.

“I think I have a big chance of winning,” Tuñacao told The STAR in an e-mail from Japan the other day. “This will be a tough fight. I’m very motivated. After waiting 13 years, I finally get a chance to win another title. I realize I’m not young anymore as a fighter but with God’s mercy, I’m still around. I’ve sacrificed a lot to earn this second chance and bring honor to our country. Finally, my chance has come. I really want to become a two-time world champion.”

Tuñacao, whose older brother Noel held the IBO minimumweight title in 2003, said he’s confident of victory even as the 30-year-old Yamanaka is undefeated and known as a tough customer. “Yamanaka and I are friends and we’ve sparred before,” he said. “Fighting in Japan is not a problem. I’m used to it. My last seven fights were in Japan. I have the advantage in experience and intelligence. My plan is to jab and move in and out. His advantage is power from the left straight. He has good timing. He has good movement although not too much footwork. His skills come from an amateur background.”

Tuñacao had no excuses in losing to Pongsaklek who dropped him thrice in the first round to wrest the WBC flyweight crown. “He surprised me,” said Tuñacao whose all-time ring idols are Gerry Peñalosa and Pernell Whitaker. “No excuses. He got the drop on me and besides, I had a difficult time making the weight. I think I was too young when I became world champion in only my 11th fight after turning pro two years before. I didn’t know how to handle myself. I was only 22.”

 Personal problems hounded Tuñacao and he fought only twice in 2003-04. “Yes, I hurt my hand after hitting it against a mirror because of a family issue,” he said. “I regret what happened. With God’s help, I was able to recover. My parents (Jose and Ponciana) are now old and no longer working so I try to help them. My inspiration are my three kids and my girlfriend Grace (Tiu) whom I’ve been together with for six years now. They all live in Cebu. Grace comes to Japan when I have a fight. My children are in school – Sharalyn who is 16, Dave Malky 14 and Malcolm Jr. 11. I can’t thank Grace enough for all her support especially when I was down with problems. She never abandoned me. I’m dedicating this fight to my children, Grace and to our country.”

Tuñacao said he was downcast for over a year after losing to Lunas and didn’t fight for 16 months. “That started my fall and led to family problems,” he said. “But I found new inspiration in my life and began working hard to earn another shot at a world title.”

Tuñacao said he’s not the only Filipino fighter based in Japan. Another is Cagayan de Oro’s 33-year-old veteran Jerope Mercado who’s facing Kohei Oba for the vacant Japanese bantamweight title in Kobe on March 16. Like Tuñacao, Mercado is based in Kobe. Tuñacao said he’s hoping to engage two Filipino sparmates in preparing for Yamanaka. At the moment, he’s sparring with former WBC bantamweight and featherweight titleholder Hozumi Hasegawa. His target is to complete 100 rounds of sparring.