JUNIBERT Bantay outclassed Haruki Miyamoto by a lopsided unanimous decision after a masterful performance in the main event of Chao Sy Promotions’ “Fist of Fury VIII: Philippines vs. Japan” on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2025, at the Sky Hall of SM Seaside City Cebu.
Bantay’s skills were on full display as he bobbed, weaved, and countered the taller Miyamoto the whole night. The 25-year-old Bantay, who moved up in weight for this fight, was pinpoint on offense and consistently landed heavy blows to the head of the tough Japanese visitor.
After eight rounds of action, Bantay got the nod of all three judges with scores of 78-74, 79-73, and 78-74.
Bantay captured the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Silver super-bantamweight title and stayed unbeaten at 9-0 with a knockout. The 23-year-old Miyamoto suffered his first career defeat and dropped to 2-1 with two knockouts.
“I want to thank my manager, Lorenzo ‘Chao’ Sy, for the opportunity to fight in this huge event. I just followed our game plan. I worked hard for this. This is my dream, to fight for a championship. I thank God for fulfilling my dream,” said Bantay. “I knew that I could take his punches because I trained hard for this.”
Sy was impressed with Bantay’s performance, especially after dismantling Miyamoto, who had boldly vowed to knock him out in the fight.
“He (Bantay) showed a good performance. He’s a very talented fighter and has good trainers,” said Sy. “In his next fight, we want a fight that will put him in the world ratings.”
In the co-main event, Jemuel Arañas (7-2-1, 4 KOs) settled for a majority draw against Cebu-based Japanese Kiyoto Narukami (5-1-1, 2 KOs) in their battle for the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) flyweight crown.
One judge scored it 78-74 for Arañas, while the other two judges had it even at 76-76.
Kenneth Albino (7-3, 3 KOs) successfully defended his Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Philippines Youth bantamweight title with a third-round stoppage of Vicente Unidos (4-2, 3 KOs), who refused to continue after the third round.
In the undercard, Joperson Trazo (6-1-1, 2 KO) forced Marlon Alejandro (6-9-2, 1 KO) to quit on his stool after the fifth round, Brian Bustrillo (4-1, 3 KOs) stopped Justine Lumanao (3-1-1, 2 KOs) in the fourth round, and John Paul Sarigumba (1-0-1) earned his first career win with a unanimous decision over Apolinario Cano Jr. (1-3) in the curtain-raiser.