Negrense claims WBC Asia silver bantamweight title

BACOLOD, Philippines — Negrense Herlan Gomez (11-1, 8 KOs) now has two Asian boxing championship belts.

The 24-year-old resident of EB Magalona in Negros Occidental earned a new belt with a triumphant showing in the WBC-Asia (World Boxing Council – Asian Boxing Council) silver bantamweight championship in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday.

Gomez, also the reigning Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) bantamweight champion, disposed of the more experienced former IBF Asia champion Komgrich Nantapech of Udon Thani, Thailand, via a first-round KO in the main featured match on “Highland Boxing Show” at the Spaceplus Bangkok in RCA Plaza.

Mayor Marvin Malacon congratulated Gomez. “Your hard work, passion, and grit to excel in your sports, and your fiercely patriotic desire to bring pride and honor to your hometown and to the whole country are awe-inspiring,” said Malacon.

For his part, Gomez thanked Malacon for his financial and moral support in all his boxing matches, as well as his town mates for their prayers and strong support.

Prior to the match, Fightnews ASIA wrote that a WBC bantamweight belt for Gomez might get him into the WBC’s top 40 bantamweights in the world.

On Aug. 26, Gomez also impressed boxing fans at his non-title fight in Dubai, United Arab Emirates with a round one KO win.