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Freeman Cebu Sports

Abne cheers up Gabunilas with inspiring message

Emmanuel B. Villaruel - The Freeman
Abne cheers up Gabunilas with inspiring message
ARQ Stable’s April Jay “Astroboy” Abne proudly poses with his OPBF Silver flyweight belts.
PHOTO FROM ABNE’S FACEBOOK

CEBU, Philippines — Reigning Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Silver flyweight champion April Jay “Astroboy” Abne gives some words of encouragement to Johnpaul “Angas ng Cebu” Gabunilas following his ARQ stablemate’s shocking first-round knockout loss at the hands of the power-punching Miel “Silent Assassin” Fajardo exactly a week ago.

Gabunilas suffered a huge embarrassment when he was ruthlessly destroyed by the WBC rated No.11 Fajardo in just 60 seconds during their OPBF light flyweight championship bout last August 15 at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

In that same card bankrolled by ARQ Sports Promotions, Abne eked out a split decision victory over former world title challenger Robert “Inggo” Paradero to keep his OPBF regional belt.

Abne’s celebration, however, was cut short upon witnessing the gut-wrenching moment of Gabunilas.

He couldn’t help but empathize with his comrade and friend having been in that similar situation before.

“Sakit gyud kaayo to dawaton na kapildihan ilabi na kay first time siya (Gabunilas) na-knockout,” Abne said.

“Katong ila duwa paunhanay ra gyud to, kaso lang si Johnpaul ang nauhan. Naa niya tanan ang kusog, kaisog, ug kakugi pero nataymingan lang gyud dayon siya,” he added.

Like Gabunilas, the pride of Manticao, Misamis Oriental himself got a dose of that painful setback when he was stopped in the very first round by his fellow countryman Garen “Hellboy” Diagan right in his first match since grabbing the OPBF Silver crown on December 22, 2021.

It was a triple whammy for Abne, as if his whole world has gone down at that time, as the bout took place at their ARQ training ground in Talamban just five days after super typhoon Odette devastated the province of Cebu and other neighboring islands.

But the 24-year-old Abne gamely rises from the ashes of defeat.

Determined to pursue his dreams, Abne revved up on comeback trail with a vengeful five-round demolition of Diagan during their rematch in March 2022. From there, he piled up five more wins, the most latest was against Paradero that will surely send him back into the world rankings.

Knowing what it takes to bounce back from a big fall, Abne cheers up Gabunilas with an uplifting message.

“Sa akong bahin, maka-ingon ko nga dili ra didto taman ang iyang career kay gawas sa iyang kagahi moduwa, kugihan pa gyud kaayong bataa,” said Abne.

“Padayon lang kuya Johnpaul kay kami tanan nimong mga kauban naghuwat sa imong pagbalik. Dako pa gihapon kaayo mi og panglantaw ug pagsalig sa imoha. Your ARQ Family is still proud of you. Come back stronger,” Abne ended. — (FREEMAN)

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