FIGHTING brothers Giemel and Arvin Magramo snagged World Boxing Organization (WBO) regional belts after winning their respective fights on Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Manny Pacquiao’s “Blow by Blow” boxing series, which was one of the highlights of the 23rd Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Banquet of Champions at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City.
Giemel, a former world title challenger, successfully bounced back from a loss in Japan last year with a second-round stoppage of Thai Sanchai Yotboon in the main event.
The 28-year-old Giemel unleashed a series of body shots that forced referee Danrex Tapdasan to wave off the fight at the 1:28 mark of the second round.
Giemel, currently rated No. 21 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) in the flyweight division, won the WBO Global flyweight belt and improved to 27-3 with 22 knockouts, while Yotboon dropped to 9-6 with eight knockouts.
On the other hand, Arvin, the younger of the Magramo siblings, outclassed fellow prospect Joel Lino by a unanimous decision to win the vacant WBO Oriental light flyweight title.
Arvin got the nod of all three judges with identical scores of 116-112.
The 26-year-old Arvin moved up to 17-1-1 with 11 knockouts, while Lino fell to 12-4-1 with five knockouts.
Arvin is currently ranked No. 12 by the WBO and No. 31 by the WBC in the light flyweight division.
In the undercard, unbeaten Albert Francisco (9-0, 6 KOs) won the vacant WBO Oriental Youth flyweight belt with a unanimous decision over Chinese up-and-comer Chengcheng Yang (5-1, 2 KOs), Donald Laurejas (4-0) defeated Dexter Eraya (2-6, 1 KO) by unanimous decision, Christian Gajana (2-0, 1 KO) won a close split decision over previously unbeaten Martillana (3-1, 3 KOs) and John Paul Reyes (1-1) had his hand raised against Keane Batanglawin (2-1-1, 2 KOs) by unanimous decision.
The Philippines’ best boxers and personalities, which include the likes of eighth-division world champion Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr., were in attendance to receive their awards. (EKA)