Monday, September 15, 2008 Domingo stops Thai in 9 By Edri K. Aznar Sun.Star Staff Reporter
MICHAEL Domingo proved that he deserves a shot at a world title as he disposed ex-world champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin to retain his World Boxing Organization Oriental bantamweight crown in the main event of “Daytime Boxing: Philippines vs. Thailand” fight card at the Cebu Coliseum.
After a well-timed devastating right uppercut to Sor Vorapin’s nose, referee Teddy Alivio stopped the fight at the 2:58 mark of the ninth round per the ring physician’s advise as the Thai’s nose was bleeding profusely.
Domingo improved his record to 37 wins 14 losses and 2 draws with 16 knockouts, while Sor Vorapin slid to 73 victories 11 defeats with 49 knockouts.
Domingo had an outstanding performance in the first few rounds hitting Sor Vorapin with body shots and counterpunches and cutting the 31-year-old pugilist’s left eye with a solid right uppercut.
Tackled
However, Domingo got frustrated with the former WBO bantamweight king’s dirty tactics because he was constantly grabbed in the neck and the body and was tackled every now and then.
Because of the fighting technique by Sor Vorapin, the Sultan Kudarat native suffered a gash in the left side of his eye because of a headbutt.
However Domingo stayed composed for the remainder of the match before finding an opening to end the bout prematurely.
“He was playing dirty. I controlled myself not to be carried away by his dirty tactics,” said Domingo after his remarkable technical knockout win over the veteran Thai boxer. “I was waiting for the moment to hit him with a very powerful punch because he was just very tired.”
With a successful title defense, Domingo will now be sent to the US and be based there to seek for the world title shot that he has been longing for.
“He will be leaving for the States to campaign there. I’m hoping that he could fight in the States on Dec 5,” said ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer, who plans to put Domingo in Golden Boy Promotions’ Friday Night Boxing which will take place the day before the much- anticipated mega war of two boxing icons, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya.
