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.

Cebu, Philippines
This past Sunday may not have been a busy day of action but Filipino fans at the Gaisano Country Mall Parking Lot did get treat to a domestic title fight as well as several promising and unbeaten prospects.

The title fight actually featured one of the most under-rated Filipino prospect's, Melvin Gumban (19-0, 10) who successfully claimed the Philippines Boxing Federation Super Flyweight title with an opening round blow out of Weljan Ugbaniel (13-3-1, 4). We suspected this would actually be a good test for Gumban but he cruised through it with ease and really made a statement with the way in which he won and now we're hoping to see him stepping up a level.

Unfortunately the co-feature was also a blow out as Elmo Traya (7-1, 6) blew out Giovani Rota (8-8, 5) in just 160 seconds. Rota was down 3 times and his lack of durability was shown up as he suffered his 7th stoppage loss in 16 bouts.

One of the most competitive bouts saw Vicente Casido (4-0, 2) claim a very close 6 round majority decision win over the limited Bryan Samson (4-5, 2) in a bout that managed to expose Casido's record somewhat, however at 19 years old Casido does have a lot of time to develop.

Another young and unbeaten fighter on this card was Melvin Jerusalem (4-0, 3) who stopped Rez Padrogane (2-8, 1) in the 2nd round. Padrogane was dropped twice in the round and was stopped for the 5th time in his career.

One other stoppage on this card saw the debuting Joepher Montano (1-0, 1) stop the win-less Junie Villacrucis (0-4) in the 2nd round of a scheduled 4 round.

As well as Monatano's stoppage win we had 3 other 4 round bouts. The closest of those saw Michael Estrella (2-0) extend his winning run with a very narrow majority decision win over the debuting Jonnel Burlado (0-1). Another competitive decision saw Junder Gregorio (2-0) take a well fought decision over Jesson Horteza (1-1). The only shut out decision early on the card saw the heavy handed Gerard Suico (3-0, 2) dominate Junrex Saldivia (0-2), with Saldivia being dropped in the 2nd round.

This past Saturday was a day where the boxing world turned their attention to the US where we had two major fighters in action whilst other bouts took place in Asia it's self.

California, USA
In the US we saw two world title fights with mixed success for the Asian fighters who were involved in the contests.

For Filipino fighter Nonito Donaire (33-3, 21) the night was a painful one, a very painful one. The Filipino was attempting to defend his WBA Featherweight super title but was made to look small, weak and a long way from being a world class Featherweight as Nicholas Walters (25-0, 21) really "beat the shit" out of Donaire, to quote the Filipino himself. Donaire was dropped in round 3 before being sent down again in round 6, that time he wasn't fit to continue when he recovered to his feet. For Jamaican power puncher Walters this was a break out win whilst for Donaire it may have been a loss that sends him into retirement.

The other bout saw Kazakhstan banger Gennady Golovkin (31-0, 28) continue to rip apart the Middleweight division as he destroyed Mexico's Marco Antonio Rubio (59-7-1, 51) in just 2 rounds. Rubio, who came in well above the Middleweight limit, looked a full division bigger than Golovkin though was battered in round 2 as Golovkin went to work in style. The win for Golovkin was his 18th straight stoppage and saw him defending his WBA Middleweight super title and claiming the WBC interim title as he moved one step further to proving that he was the best 160lb fighter on the planet.

A third Asian on this show was Ruslan Madiev (2-0), also from Kazakhstan, who secured a 4 round decision over the debuting Oscar Rojas (0-1).

Suwannakhet, Laos
In Laos we had 2 more titles fights, both of which were at a much lower level.

The more notable of these bouts saw Kongthara KKP (5-0, 5) score his first title win as he claimed the WBC Asian Boxing Council silver Super Bantamweight title. Konthara, who has also gone by the name Attanon Kunlawong in the past, stopped Macau's Kin Fong Leong (0-1) to record his 4th stoppage of the year and really build on an excellent victory over Japan's Shingo Kawamura.

In the other title bout female fighter Nampetch Kwanjaisrikod (3-1, 1) out pointed Zongju Cai (0-1) to successfully defend the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental female Light Flyweight title for the first time.

As well as the results we currently have we have been made aware of two other shows. Hopefully we'll be able to add those results shortly though currently we've not have them made available to us.

Negros Occidental, Philippines
An interesting, albeit some what small, Filipino show took place in Negros Occidental. Sadly many of the bouts turned out to be relative mismatches.

One of the mismatches was the main event which saw the very promising and unbeaten Melvin Gumban (18-0, 9) quickly dispatch of Roger Echavez (7-13-1, 4) inside a round. This blow out won't have done much for the long term development of Gumban but keeping him active over the coming years is likely as important as anything else.

Although the main event was over quickly the co-feature dud go the distance as Juren Labordo (13-2, 8) took an 8 round decision over Ryan Tampus (11-12, 8), an astonishing result given that Tampus had been stopped 7 times prior to this bout. Another bout that went the distance saw James Paul Talaman (2-0, 1) take a decision over the win-less Sonny Basanez (0-3). Other bouts that went the distance saw Kenneth Neron (1-0) take a split decision over Jay Solomon (1-1, 1) whilst Jeffrey Concerman (1-0) began his career with a win over Holly Quinones (0-2).

As for stoppages on the under-card fans saw Rafael Sueno (2-1, 2) blasted out Macmac Baribar (2-2-1) in a round and it took Ricardo Sueno (1-0, 1) just as long to see off Kavin Parrenas (0-1). The other stoppage on this card saw Archie Moyani (1-0, 1) stop Ronald Cajes (0-1) in the second round.

Rostov-na-Donu, Russia
We also got action from Russia with a 9 fight card that featured a trio of title bouts as well as one of the hardest hitting on world boxing.

The shortest of the title bouts saw the unbeaten Viskhan Murzabekov (10-0, 5) successfully defend the WBC Youth Intercontinental title with an opening round blow out over Ramadhani Shauri (18-6-1, 10). This was the first defense of the title by Maruzabekov.

In a UBO Middleweight title bout Aliklych Kanbolatov (10-2-2, 5) scored a 5th round TKO against Mada Maugo (17-12, 12) whilst a UBO InterContinental Super Middleweight title fight saw Varazdat Chernikov (8-2, 3) score a 6th round KO against Karama Nyilawila (18-11-2, 10).

The most notable fight on the show saw Dmitry Kudryashov (15-0, 15) score a second round stoppage over Giulian Ilie (20-8-2, 6). Ilie was sadly forced to retire after just 2 rounds giving the heavy handed Russian an unexpectedly easy victory against the usually tough Romanian. Whilst Kudryashov's stoppage run continued we did see the run of Apti Davtaev (8-0-1, 8) come to an end after he was held to a 6 round split decision draw by Ante Verunica (3-1-1, 1).

Davtaev's bout was one of 4 bouts that went the distance. Another saw Apti Ustarkhanov (8-1-2, 1) take a 6 round decision over the limited Murad Dalkhaev (3-4, 2). In 4 rounders Arbi Madaev (7-1, 2) took a unanimous decision over Andrey Zapisov (0-2), the unbeaten Robert Bagaev (2-0) defeated Oleksiy Shteplyuk (0-10-1) with a 4 round decision whilst Roman Ivanov (3-6, 1) struggled past Rustem Abdinanov (1-3-1)

(Image courtesy of Sumio Yamada)