Pinoys’ historic 1-round KOs

Edrin Dapudong’s recent win over South African Gideon Buthelezi to capture the IBO superflyweight crown was the eighth first round knockout scored by a Filipino in world boxing championship history.

The first was recorded by Flash Elorde who disposed of Harold Gomes in the first defense of his world junior lightweight crown at the San Francisco Cow Palace in March 1960. In December the next year, Elorde registered another first round knockout, this time at the expense of Italian challenger Sergio Caprari at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila. Then came Roberto Cruz’ sensational stoppage of Mexico’s Raymundo (Battling) Torres for the vacant WBC superlightweight or junior welterweight title at the Los Angeles Dodgers Stadium in 1963. Next in line was Ben Villaflor who flattened Japanese Kuniaki Shibata to regain the WBA superfeatherweight diadem in Honolulu in 1973.

Luisito Espinosa blitzed Thailand’s Khaokor Galaxy to snatch the WBA bantamweight belt in Bangkok in 1989 then Manny Pacquiao joined the bandwagon with a first-round knockout over another Thai Fahprakorb Rakkiat-Gym to retain his IBF superbantamweight title in Davao City in 2002. The seventh notch was from Brian Viloria who stunned Mexico’s Eric Ortiz to claim the WBC lightflyweight title in Los Angeles in 2005.    

Dapudong, 26, didn’t waste any time taking care of Buthelezi at the Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg two weeks ago. Last November, they squared off with the vacant IBO superflyweight title on the line and the South African eked out a split 12-round decision that was highly disputed. Revenge was on Dapudong’s mind when the IBO ordered a rematch to settle matters once and for all.

Last January, Dapudong started training for Buthelezi, thinking the return bout will be on Feb. 10. But the original appointment was postponed by the South African camp for unclear reasons. Dapudong’s manager, former North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol, said it wasn’t easy negotiating a contract for a rematch despite the IBO’s orders. Buthelezi’s camp demanded three options in case of a dethronement. Reluctantly, Piñol agreed to the one-sided terms, including a $20,000 purse. “Beggars can’t be choosers,” said Piñol. â€œBesides, I knew if given a second chance, Bungis (Dapudong’s nickname) would knock out Buthelezi. He dropped him in their first fight so I was confident he had the power to take him out.”

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Dapudong never imagined to become a world champion when he was recruited at the age of 12 by Piñol’s brother Noli to join a group of boys in a North Cotabato boxing camp. Dapudong said he’d never boxed before but went to camp for fun. At the time, his father Eduardo worked as a security guard with the Piñol family. 

Two years later, Dapudong had blossomed into a serious prospect. In 2004, Dapudong won the gold medal in the 42 kilogram category at the National Open in Panabo and was on his way to stardom. The next year, he turned pro.

The oldest of six children, Dapudong is the only fighter in the family and now the sole breadwinner. He left school after a year of taking up electrical technology at the University of Southern Mindanao in Kidapawan to concentrate on boxing. Today, Dapudong is making up for what he missed in class by sending his sisters Quela Mae, 23, Sheila Mae, 15, and Rolyn, 13, to school. Only brother Eric, 25, is helping their father tend to a two-hectare property he bought from his ring earnings. The land is planted to rubber with corn and bananas as cross-crops. 

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Three years ago, Dapudong’s mother Emilie, now 53, suffered a stroke that paralyzed the left side of her body. Less than a week before Dapudong battled Buthelezi in their rematch, she had a second stroke and was rushed to the hospital. She is now back at home in a wheelchair and Dapudong is taking care of her rehab expenses. Piñol said Dapudong’s mother is a distant relative and was brought up by his family when she was a little girl.

“When Bungis turned 14, I knew he would go far as a fighter,” said Piñol. â€œHe developed power through the years and now, he’s a brutal uppercut with either hand. Bungis never even got to show it against Buthelezi. He’s never been cut and the only knockdown he suffered wasn’t legitimate. My goal is to showcase Bungis in Las Vegas. I think he has an exciting style that will be appreciated by the US audience. I know South Africa has three options on Bungis but I’m planning to ask Manny Pacquiao’s help for Top Rank to do something about it and bring him to the US.”

Dapudong, a bachelor, said he and long-time girlfriend of four years Rea plan to get married maybe next year but there’s no rush. He’s focused on his boxing career. â€œBoxing is my living,” said Dapudong in Pilipino. â€œI’m grateful to Gov. Manny for giving me the chance to become a world champion. With what I’ve earned, I was able to buy a two-hectare property and build a three-bedroom bungalow. Our family depends on what we earn from the land and what I bring home from boxing. I know boxing is a demanding sport and takes a lot of discipline to wake up early to jog, to work out and to stay in condition. But I have to work hard to take care of my mother who’s sick and my sisters who are in school. With God’s help and support from Gov. Manny, I hope to stay as world champion for a long time.”