This past Saturday was an incredibly busy day, especially for Filipino fans, who had bouts involving their fighters through out the day.

Cebu, Philippines
Fans in the Philippines had a good day with a trio of shows, 2 of which were in Cebu.

For us the more interesting of the two was at the Mandaue city Grand Fiesta Carnival as we got several interesting prospects, a major upset, and a few notable “journeymen”.

The big upset came in the only title bout on the show as the highly experienced Edgar Gabejan (27-31-6, 9) scored a shock 8th round KO against Marbon Bodiongan (11-3-2, 9) to successfully defended the Philippines Games & Amusement Board (GAB) Super Featherweight title. Although on paper this was a huge mismatch it now seems clear that Gabejan has one of the many “misleading” records that we find through out the Filipino boxing scene.

Another man with a misleading record on this show was Gerpaul Valero (19-16-3, 13) who made light work of Nicardo Calamba (6-20-3, 3) courtesy of a 2nd round KO. This was an expected win for Valero who has really turned his career around after having been 1-13-3 just 4 years ago. A third man who proved how “wrong” his record was was Rodel Wenceslao (9-11-1, 3) who stopped Takamori Akita (10-5-1, 8).

It wasn't all about the “misleading” records however and it was good to see the promising Neil John Tabanao (11-0, 7) continue his perfect start as he over-came the experienced Jason Egara (21-13, 10) with a 10 round decision win. Another unbeaten man in action was Ardie Boyose (15-0-1, 11) who blew away Joel Escol (8-18-3, 5) inside a round.

In a 6 rounder fans saw Rommick Magos (11-4, 7) see off Juma Diana (2-10, 2) in the 2nd round whilst a 4 rounder saw the debuting Morten Olson (1-0, 1) blow away Holly Quinones (0-4) in just 77 seconds.

Cebu, Philippines
There was another show in Cebu that was equally as interesting.

In the main event ended in a genuine upset as Rene Dacquel (14-4-1, 5) took a split decision over the previously unbeaten Melvin Gumban (19-1, 10) and claimed the GAB Super Flyweight title. Gumban was defending the belt for the first time following his opening round blow out of Wiljan Ugbaniel in January though was unable to over-come the more battled hardened Dacquel. Despite the loss we do see Gumban coming back and he still has a bright future ahead of him.

In the chief support bout was saw Jason Canoy (23-5-2, 17) blow away Juren Labordo (14-3, 9) in the 2nd round. Labordo was unable to take Canoy's power and was down 3 times in the round.

In a 6 rounder Cris Ganoza (5-0, 1) claimed his first stoppage win as he over-came Rafael Sueno (3-3, 3) with a 4th round TKO. Another unbeaten man extending his winning run was Virgel Vitor (4-0, 2), who stopped Kenneth Neron (1-2-1) in the 3rd round.

Lower down this card we did see a couple of upsets. The most notable of those saw Andrew Palas (4-3, 1) take a decision win over the previously unbeaten Jeffrey Concerman (3-1, 1) whilst another saw Raul Yu (6-1, 5) defeat Gerard Suico (4-1, 3).

Metro Manila, Philippines
The third of the Filipino shows came from Mero Manila and seemed to see all the bouts going the “expected” way.

In the main event fans saw former world title challenger Michael Farenas (40-5-3, 32) make light work of Thai foe Chaiyong Sithsaithong (36-14-4, 26) with a 2nd round stoppage. Chaiyong was dropped twice in the round with the referee saving the over-matched Thai, who suffered only his second stoppage loss.

In the chief support bout fans saw the unbeaten Rommel Oliveros (4-0-1, 1) take a competitive decision win over journeymen Ricky Oyan (4-24-2, 2) in what turned out to be a good test for the novice, despite looking like a mismatch on paper.

Sadly the 6 rounders weren't particularly competitive. One of those saw Ryan Sermona (17-7, 10) force a stoppage of Gilbert Donasales (5-9-1, 3) whilst another saw experienced traveler Cris Alfante (11-4, 3) score a 2nd round TKO against Rolando Niones (4-17-2, 2).

In the 4 rounders we saw a bit of everything. One of those was a blow out as Mike Mirafuentes (3-1-1, 3) took care of Arben Escayo (0-4) in just 61 seconds. A more competitive saw the debuting Argie Guiriba (1-0) defeat fellow debutant Jovil Helario (0-1), with Helario being dropped in the opening round. The most competitive of the 4 rounders however saw Glen Medura (1-1-1, 1) trade knockdowns with Manny Mamacquiao (0-6-1) with Medura taking the split decision.

Haikou, China
In China fans saw the talented Froilan Saludar (22-1-1, 14) move a step towards a world title fight as he claimed the WBO Inter-Continental Flyweight title with a 5th round TKO against Indonesian journeyman Faris Nenggo (10-8-3, 3). Coming into this bout Nenggo was flying high from a shock TKO win over former world champion Merlito Sabillo though he couldn't over-come Saludar who is now 3-0 following his defeat to McWilliams Arroyo last June.

Distrito Federal, Mexico
Things weren't as good for Filipino fans who stayed up to watch Jeffrey Arienza (12-4-1, 7), who was stopped in 6 rounds by former world title challenger Dante Jardon (26-5, 21). This bout, for the WBC International silver Lightweight title, saw the Filipino suffering his second successive defeat, following a loss last November to Japanese novice Daishi Nagata. Although Arienza was more than competitive early on he ran out of steam before being stopped.

Queensland, Australia
In Australia we did see a slight shock as Aussie based Thai Arnon Yuchareon (0-8-1) managed to score a draw with Ben Kite (1-2-1). It was the first time Arnon had managed to avoid a defeat and it was a well earned draw for the still-win-less Thai ho continues to prove that his record is misleading, despite the fact he's nothing “special” as a fighter.

This past Saturday was a ridiculously busy day with numerous great fights. With so much action it has taken us a while to get our results up, and even now we awaiting results from 2 other cards. Hopefully we'll be able to add those soon.

Osaka, Japan
The first Asian show of the day was in Osaka where we had a female world title double header. 

The most notable of those world title bouts saw WBO Atomweight champion Nao Ikeyama (15-3-1, 4) score the first defence of her title. The 45 year old defending champion managed to out work and out point the younger Masae Akitaya (9-5-2, 3) in what was a stirring effort from the champion and the sort of bout that shows that age isn't a defining factor in how good a fighter is. Ikeyama may have the face of a 45 year old battler but she has the energy reserves of someone half her age and she showed it in scintillating fashion here.

The other world title fight on this same show saw Japan's Kumiko Seeser Ikehara (6-1-1, 3) claim the WBO female Minimumweight title with a split decision win over Filipino foe Gretchen Abaniel (15-6, 6). Although the scorecards were all over Ikehara was the deserving winner and she seemed the stronger fighter through out. Sadly this title was vacant following Mako Yamada's retirement and in fairness to Yamada she would likely have beaten both Ikehara and Abaniel with out any issues, it's just a shame she retired following her excellent victory over Su Yun Hong.

A third notable female bout on this show ended with a little surprise as Tamao Ozawa (7-2, 2) claimed a split decision over Kai Johnson (5-6-3, 2). The records may not suggest this was a surprise but Johnson had come into this bout following stoppage wins over Tomomi Takano, in June, and Ozawa in March. For Ozawa this was revenge for one of her losses and by far her biggest win to date.

Down the card there was another female bout as Aiko Yamagishi (4-0-1, 2) stopped Chie Higano (3-1) in 2 rounds.

The other bout on the bottom of the card saw debutants taking wins as Yusuke Hiranuma (1-0) out pointed Hiroshi Takagi (2-4) over the 4 round distance Shoshi Nakamura (1-0, 1) stopped Terumi Aoi (0-2) part way through round 4.

Jakarta, Indonesia
In Indonesia there was 2 televised bouts, sadly both of them slipped under our radar. The under-card bout saw Marten Kisamlu (3-2, 1) score a 4th round TKO over the frankly hopeless Safwan Lombok (1-26-1). For Lombok this was his 24th successive bout with out a win and you need to go all the way back to 2008 to find his sole win, a split decision over Ichal Tobida.

The main event on this card saw Erick Deztroyer (5-2) claim the interim Indonesian Boxing Association Super Bantamweight title after he won a very close 12 round split decision win against Gusti Elnino (1-5). From the score-cards it appears to have been one of those that could have gone either way though the only thing for sure is that neither of these guys is going to go far, at best they will be used as journeymen in Thailand, the Philippines and Japan.

Arizona, USA
In the US fans were treat to a fantastic performance of counter-puncher from talented Russian prospect Konstantin Ponomarev (25-0, 12) who looked very promising as he out pointed Mexican veteran Cosme Rivera (37-19-3-1, 25). At just 21 years old it does look like Ponomarev may not have natural power needed to progress to the top, though he is still not a fully matured fighter and hopefully that power will come as he becomes a man. With speed, an exciting style and a clear ability there is a lot of hope that Ponomarev will go all the way and we have our fingers tightly crossed that he will manage to become the star that his team expect him to be.

Baja California, Mexico
Last, but not least, was a thriller in Mexico as Terdsak Kokietgym (53-5-1, 33) went toe-to-toe and exchanged multiple knock downs with Mexico's very own Orlando Salido (42-12-2-1, 29). Unfortunately for Terdsak he was on the end of the biggest knockdown that came in round 11 and forced the referee to immediately stop the bout, it was the 7th knockdown of the bout and ended a see-saw battle in style. If you enjoy violence and thrilling action this one is for you, despite a very poor performance from referee Eddie Claudio who was easily the worst thing about the bout.

Cebu, Philippines
In the Philippines there were a number of bouts in Cebu. 

The highest profile fighter in action here was fringe Super Featherweight contender Adones Aguelo (22-10-2, 14) who made light work of the over-matched Bonnie Makiling (5-7, 4). Whilst we wouldn't describe Aguelo as a future world champion he has shown himself as a very competitive fighter with solid performances against some of the best in Mexico such as Sergio Thompson.

In one of the chief support bouts fans saw the unbeaten Ardie Boyose (12-0-1, 8) continue his winning ways with a decision over the incredibly tough Jaime Barcelona (38-56-1, 10). Although Boyose is a big puncher credit needs to go to Barcelona who has managed to go 95 bouts over 17 years with only 5 stoppage losses. Another 8 round decision saw the much touted Neil John Tabanao (9-0, 6) being taken the distance by Jo-as Apericio (11-13,8). For the 20 year old Tabanao this was his second successive decision win and will have helped him develop more than blow away victories.

One stoppage that came in the bouts scheduled for 8 rounds saw the criminally under-rated Gerpaul Valero (18-15-3, 12) stopping the so-so Arlon Batingal (7-9, 4) in 3 rounds. The 23 year old Valero has one of the ultimate "misleading records" and has turned his career around remarkably in the last 4 years, a real battler and credit to hard work, hopefully that hard work will, one day, pay off in a big pay day.

The only other result from this show that we know the result for saw Joey Canoy (7-0-1, 3) retaining his unbeaten record in a battle of unbeaten men as he over-came Ryan Bajala (3-1, 1) with a 6 round decision,.

Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
In Spain there was another Thai in action as the experienced Kiatchai Singwancha (35-12, 24) scored a 4th round KO against the fragile Ivan Martinez (29-5, 23).

(Image courtesy of Thairec.com)