Dapudong gets back at tormentor, wins by 1st rd KO in opening round

MANILA, Philippines - Edrin Dapudong, who felt he was robbed of a victory against Gideon Buthelezi last November, yesterday made sure he won’t suffer the same fate against the South African.

The 27-year-old Filipino knocked out Buthelezi in the first round to win the International Boxing Organization junior bantamweight crown at the Emperor’s Palace Resort and Casino in Johannesburg.

It was a sensational win that stunned and silenced the South African crown.

Dapudong, according to his manager, former North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol, was determined to avenge his bitter split decision loss to Buthelezi last year.

In their first meeting, Dapudong floored Buthelezi in the ninth round of a tight contest, and felt it was enough for him to win. But two of the judges saw otherwise.

Right from the opening bell yesterday (at around 2:30 a.m. Manila time), Dapudong followed their game plan and landed hard body blows on Buthelezi.

Piñol said he and cornerman Jeff de Guzman thought that going to the body early would help Dapudong dictate the pace. It did not take long for him to score the knockout.

The end came in the 2:30 mark when the native of M’lang in North Cotabato connected with a right to the midsection, forcing Buthelezi to lower his guard.

That allowed Dapudong to connect with a left hook to the head. The South African went down hard, and American referee Robert Byrd counted him out.

Dapudong, who comes from the Braveheart Boxing Club of the Piñol brothers, including Noli and Socrates, is the first world champion from North Cotabato.

Dapudong broke down in tears after the victory because it’s been his dream to become a world champion since he started fighting when he was 14.

“Four attempts at the world title proved fruitless, but tonight, in far away South Africa, Dapudong finally caught up with the dream,” said Piñol.