DAVAO CITY—Rey Loreto proved his worth as a world champion while Edrin Dapudong and Denver Cuello showed they both deserve a second crack at the top as they stopped their foreign opponents early Sunday morning in the triple-header of Boxing Revolution II: Clash of the Little Titans at Davao City Recreation Center.
Returning to this city as the International Boxing Organization junior flyweight king after a six-year absence, Loreto sent Heri Amol down with a three-punch combination, forcing the Indonesian to quit at 2:33 of the seventh round.
Dapudong, the former IBO super flyweight titlist, was methodical in scoring a technical knockout over a game but raw Thai Wisanlek Sithsaithong. Veteran referee Bruce McTavish, who officiated the 10-round main events, halted the punishment with 2:46 gone in the fifth.
Making his ring comeback 14 months after a rotator cuff injury he incurred in a failed world title bid, Cuello dominated Thai Jaipetch Chaiyongym, who did not answer the eighth-round bell.
The lopsided victories elated the full house crowd of over 3,500, including popular Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, which was treated to a 14-bout, 108-round card put up by Sonshine Sports Management. The fights started at 7 p.m. Saturday and dragged on until 2:20 a.m. Sunday at the former Almendras Gym.
The 23-year-old Loreto, who lost his first four fights, raised his record to 19-13 with 11 knockouts. Amol fell to 34-20.
Dapudong, a protégé of Sonshine chief executive officer Manny Piñol, improved to 30-6, 18 by knockouts, while Cuello rose to 34-5-6.
Twins Jake and Jade Bornea of Arakan, North Cotabato, shared the limelight by trouncing their respective foes.
Debuting as a pro, Jade downed Albert Muring thrice en route to a first-round TKO in the opener of the event fully supported by evangelist Pastor Apollo C. Quibuloy.
Power puncher Lorenzo Villanueva bloodied Gadwen Tubigon’s nose in the eighth round and went on to win by TKO, 38 seconds into the ninth. Villanueva improved to 27-1, 24 by KO.
In a four-round battle featuring fighters with tribal roots, Michael Bravo, a Manobo from Cotabato, won by unanimous decision over Saddam Barambangan, a Muslim from Gen. Santos City.
Other results saw Rolando Magbanua stop Joel Escol, Robert Udtuhan halt Renz Llagas, Rommel Asenso win by majority decision over Powell Balaba, Jilbert Gomera prevail by unanimous decision over Jun Ryan Quimbo, Ryan Lumacad stop Robert Awitin, Ruskie Cristobal beat Rolly Llino and Jaime Quitoriano trounce Byran Samson.
It was a big night for the Sonshine stable as all its fighters—Dapudong, Bravo, Villanueva, Magbanua, Asenjo, Lumacad, Quitorino and the Bornea twins—emerged triumphant.