RONNIE Baldonado ended his losing slump after beating former regional champion Ben Mananquil by unanimous decision to win the Philippine Games and Amusements Board bantamweight strap in the main event of UKC Revolution 2023 on Jan. 30 at The Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex.
Baldonado dropped Mananquil with a counter right in the second round and did just enough to beat him in the judges’ scorecards.
Baldonado got the nod of all three judges with scores of 115-112, 117-110 and 115-112. Baldonado ended a three-fight slump and improved to 16-4-1 with nine knockouts, while Mananquil, a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion, dropped to 18-4-3 with five knockouts.
Undefeated prospect Ali Canega (8-0-1, 5 KOs) forced aging veteran Edison Berwela (18-47-8, 6 KOs) to quit after the third round, while journeyman Marjohn Yap (32-17, 16 KOs) destroyed ex-Manny Pacquiao sparmate Leonardo Doronio (18-21-3, 11 KOs) in the fourth round in the two main supporting bouts.
In the undercard, Jahzeel Trinidad (8-0, 3 KOs) stopped Cebuano former world title challenger Vergilio Silvano (21-11-2, 12 KOs) in the opening round; Jason Buenaobra (10-7-3, 4 KOs) beat Jonathan Francisco (10-19-1, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision; Jonniel Laurente (6-0-1, 4 KOs) scored a second round technical knockout of Julbirth Tubiano (5-7, 5 KOs); Jonjon Estrada (16-10-1, 14 KOs) walked away with a majority decision over Pablito Canada (8-22-5, 2 KOs); Claudevan Sese (9-3-3, 3 KOs) demolished Rodel Sunquit (5-11-1, 1 KO) in four rounds; Darwin Boyones (4-3, 2 KOs) upset Malfred Majadas (3-2-1, 1 KO) via a third round technical knockout; Donald Laurejas (3-0) won against Jonathan Gajana (2-1, 1 KO) by unanimous decision; former world champion Pedro Taduran (15-4-1, 12 KOs) had a successful ring return with a third round technical knockout of experienced Powell Balaba (9-35-1, 5 KOs); Fernando Tagpuno Jr. (3-2, 3 KOs) handed Arjhay Recto (2-1) his first career loss with a second round stoppage; Clarence Breboneria (3-2, 2 KO) finished off Marklin Itim (2-8) in the very first round; Jetro Pabustan (32-10-6, 10 KOs) knocked out fellow veteran Aroel Romasasa (11-13, 5 KOs) in the second round; and Anton Maglinte (1-2) logged his first career win with a split decision victory over newcomer Raizen Jay Dela Fuente (0-1). (EKA)