It’s doubly hard looking for the next big star in Philippine boxing following bright results from abroad last week.
No, there definitely was no lack of worthy contenders.
Fact is the search for the next Manny Pacquiao has become crowded following win-win stands by Filipino boxers in foreign rings.
All these winners appeared solidly headed toward a world crown challenge.
Jhack Tepora, 21-0, 16 KOs, scored a stunning second round stoppage of former African world titlist Lusanda Komanisi in East London, South Africa, to capture the WBO Intercontinental featherweight crown in his first international outing. His handlers at Omega Pro Sports International wasted no time to announce Tepora would be seeking a crack at the world title in the crowded featherweight division.
Before Tepora’s stunning triumph, the sensational Frank Duno of Sanman Gym in General Santos City scored an impressive decision over seasoned Mexican lightweight Juan Pablo Sanchez at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
The victory was a followup to Duno’s stunning stoppage last March of then unbeaten Golden Boy standout Christian Gonzales of Mexico. The 21-year-old Duno, handled by former world flyweight champion Rodel Mayol, is now with the Golden Boy stable of Oscar de la Hoya.
At Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Nonito Donaire Jr. dominated Mexican Juan Pablo Sanchez in a well-attended featherweight contest.
Genesis Servania was not successful in his challenge to unbeaten WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez in their clash in Tucson, Arizona, last Saturday. Servania floored Valdez in the fourth, but was himself decked in the fifth. It was a compelling contest and Servania, who fights out of the Kashimi gym in Japan, said he would continue his hot hunt for a world crown. He used to be a major fighter in the ALA Stable.
The week before last, Milan Melindo of the ALA Stable, retained his IBF light flyweight crown in a thrilling and bloody battle in Cebu. Melindo is seeking to unify the world light flyweight crown.
It was not a simple comeback win for Donaire, 34, who lost his WBO super bantamweight crown to Jessie Magdaleno of Mexico last November. Donaire, 38-4, 24 KOs, announced he has been renewed by a new diet and a new coach (Max Baffel), at the same time swearing the presence of his wife Rachel in his corner to shout out instructions was a major factor in his return to the mainstream.
Donaire, the 2012 Fighter of the Year, is now recognized as the WBC Silver featherweight belt owner.