Monday, May 05, 2008 Mati pugs dominate `Bakbakan' By Ben O. Tesiorna
CITY of Mati, Davao Oriental -- It was a night every Matinos would surely not forget as all of its boxers won over their opponents from Davao City and Thailand.
Dubbed "Bakbakan sa Mati," Juanito Rubillar highlighted a sensational night for the hometown pugs by scoring a very impressive second round knockout win over Kriangkrai Kaewnongsamet of Thailand in the main event.
Rubillar is ranked No. 2 in the WBC's light flyweight division, while the Thai is TPBC's number three in the flyweight division.
All odds were against Rubillar, who was defeated by Kaewnongsamet in their first encounter few years back.
In the first round of the 10-round fight, both Rubillar and Kaewnongsamet threw strong punches that entertained the crowd to no end.
Then came the second round. Just as the round was halfway through, Rubillar threw a punch at Kaewnongsamet's abdomen that sent the Thai falling down on his knees.
The crowd roared as the referee counted the Thai out. Rubillar frustrated the Thai's prediction of a knockout on the fourth round. The Mati boxer defeated him in two minutes and six seconds of the 2nd round.
Four more Mati boxers fought with four boxers from Davao City in the curtain raiser amateur bouts and won all their bouts.
First to fight was Christopher Ligas against Freddie Catalon. Ligas showed his prowess over his opponent from Davao City that prompted the Davao coach to throw in the towel in the third round of the fight.
Enrico Labi was the second fighter from Mati who was pitted against Jog Alim. Though showing fatigue on the third and fourth rounds of the game, Labi still managed to win the fight on points.
Richard Soriano was the third pug from Mati to climb the ring against Dodong Sipong of Davao, who readily retired in the first round of their fight.
The fourth fight for the amateur bout was fought between Vergel Mamites of Mati and Percybal Samson of Davao. Mamites was knocked down in the first round but managed to recover early on.
Samson was putting up a good fight and was in fact leading in the fight when Davao City team suddenly threw in the towel in the fourth and last round. The Davao coach was protesting what he called unfair calls made by the referee.
After the amateur bout comes the preliminary bouts, where six boxers from Butuan, Davao, General Santos cities, Zamboanga Sibugay and Antique fought were involved.
Rocky Sardido of Davao won over Rex Esparagosa of General Santos in the six-rounder junior flyweight division. Sardido won by a split decision.
Jetly Purisima of General Santos City fought Ronquillo Salvador of Antique in an 8-rounder with Purisima winning by a unanimous decision.
For the junior featherweight division, Romnick Rapista of Butuan City fought against Silvester Lopez of Zamboanga. Lopez won by a knockout on the second round of the 6-rounder bout.
Fight for the flyweight division was the eighth fight of the night with RP flyweight number 5 Celso Danggod of Zamboanga pitted against knockout artist from Butuan City Rico Genon.
Though not as experienced as Danggod, Genon showed his skills to the delight of the more than 3,000 boxing aficionados who trooped to the Mati Socio-Cultural Center Saturday evening.
Genon fought like a raging bull as he kept on advancing and absorbing the strong punches of Danggod. Genon was already bleeding from a cut but this did not stop him from going after Danggod, who could do nothing but veer away from Genon who is a Pacquaio look-alike.
Genon's aggressiveness, however, failed him to grab the plum as Danggod won the fight by a unanimous decision.
The night fight of the night was between Reggie Benueza of Butuan and Dexter Mendoza of Bataan. Mendoza, ranked number 7 in the RP bantamweight division, proved to be a strong contender as he knocked out Benueza on the 8th round.
The Bakbakan sa Mati 2008 is the first-ever official boxing event held in Mati after more than two decades. Persuaded by Board Member Eric Rabat, Elorde Sports Promotion agreed to have the fight in Rubillar's place.
"I am happy that I was able to convince Elorde Sports Promotion to bring the fight here, and let the people of Mati see Rubillar's hard punches. Even if the fight is a non-title bout, but this is a world class boxing extravaganza," the young Rabat said.
The 28-year-old Rubillar only smiles every time he remembers his way to the top. Never did it dawn to him or to anyone that a young boy who used to give a helping hand at the public terminal would became the fighter that Juanito Rubillar is today.
Rubillar became an amateur boxer in 1993, and still vociferating for more, he left for Manila in 1994.
In 2002, he became the World Boxing Council Continental champion, and knowing he can still have more, he made it as an Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Champion in 2006.
To date, Rubillar is World Boxing Council No. 2 contender, ranks No. 3 in World Boxing Organization, 7th in the World Boxing Association, and 8th in the International Boxing Federation.
"I did not expect the support to be this overwhelming, and I am very grateful. The city government of Mati and the provincial officials as well are giving their support, and my fellow Matinians, I dedicate this fight to them," he said. (With Neela Duallo)
