Cebu Boxer Scores Controversial KO Win in GenSan Fury 1

Kenny Demecillo of Cebu pulled off a controversial first round knockout win over hometown bet Daryl Basadre to capture the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Oceania bantamweight title Sunday afternoon at the Robinson’s Place in General Santos City.

The 22-year old Demecillo of Omega Stable shook off a shaky start by answering Basadre’s left-right combination with a solid left hook on the head followed by a barrel of punches en route to a shocking technical knockout in 2 minutes and 54 seconds left in the opening round.

Referee Ramil Ovalo of Davao City immediately stopped the scheduled 12-round title-fight after Basadre lost his balance while backpedalling away from Demecillo.

“I had to stop the fight to protect the boxer (Basadre) who was already in a standing knockout,” said the 45-year old Ovalo, an 8-year veteran referee of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

Basadre was obviously hurt after a solid left hook followed by a barrel of punches.

But his young manager-promoter Jim Claude Manangquil of Sanman Promotions did not agree with the referee’s decision to immediately stop the fight without first giving a mandatory 8-count.

“He (Ovalo) should have first given our boxer a mandatory 8-count and checked him first clearly on the eyes to be sure that he can no longer continue because it was a championship fight and not just an ordinary bout,” explained Manangquil.

Manangquil and his co-promoters and managers Dexter Tan and John Ray Manangquil are now planning for a rematch to resolve the issue.

“We won’t file any formal complaint but we will demand for a rematch,” said Manangquil, who recently witnessed in Australia how his other boxer John Moralde beat an erstwhile undefeated Aussie, who later died due to head blows after two days in coma at the hospital.

But WBA Oceania supervisor Ferlin Marsh of New Zealand agrees with Ovalo’s decision.

“It’s fine with me. I don’t have any problem with that decision,” said Marsh, also an international referee.

Retired GAB officer-in-charge-turned judge Jaime Mata also supports Ovalo.

“It was the referee’s discretion and the right to stop the fight in order to protect the boxer,” Mata said.

Basadre, 22, only suffered his second loss against 14 wins with 10 knockouts and 1 draw while Demecillo improved his record to 9 wins with 6 KOs against 3 loses and 1 draw.

However, Basadre’s stablemate Harmonito dela Torre, reigning World Boxing Federation (WBF) world super featherweight champion, earlier stopped ex-PH super lightweight king Eusebio Baluarte in 1:02 of the 4th round. Dela Torre displayed his world-class experience against Baluarte.

But the most exciting match of the “Gensan Fury I” was the 8-rounder between two undefeated fighters Rimar Metuda of Sanman and Jerry Castroverde of Cebu.

Metuda first knocked down twice Castroverde in the second round but the Cebuano came back strong in the 4th round to also score his own knockdown.

Metuda, however, proved to be quicker as he landed more telling blows against the hard fighting Castroverde, who only suffered his first setback after 5 straight wins in his pro career.

Metuda improved his record to 7 wins with 3 KOs.

In the other bouts, Mike Angelo Plana survived the antics of former PBF champion Philip Parcon and escaped with a unanimous decision; Marquil Salvana TKO’d Roger Echavez in 1:28 of the 4th round; Junie Salogaol TKO’d Armando Yee in 2:22 of 2nd round; Reymart Gaballo TKO’d Rocky Alvarez in 2:09 of 1st round; Joy-Joy Formentera stopped Allan Doronilla by KO in 27 seconds of 2nd round; Jonathan Francisco beat Reymund Dayham by unanimous decision; and Joey Antonio of Empire Gym Davao outpointed Gerald Barcenas of Cebu.

The free boxing show was the first-ever to be held inside the mall of Robinson’s. It was supported by the Sanofi Meat, San Marino Tuna, Robinson’s Mall and sportsmen-businessmen Vic dela Cruz, John Ray Manangquil and Dexter Tan. (PNA) FPV/LCM/LOLITO T. DELOS REYES/LDP