THE fight between junior lightweights Jessie Cris Rosales of the SGG Stable and Honey Boy Vidad of T.I. Cebu Stable was named the Best Fight of the Buhay Boksingero card held Saturday night at the Diosdado Macapagal Sports Complex in Aragao town, southern Cebu.
Rosales started strong and continuously pummeled Vidad on the ropes but Vidad fought his way out of trouble by landing hard shots of his own against a fading Rosales.
Rosales however, escaped with a majority decision victory after two judges had him the winner with identical scores of 39-37. One judge scored the fight at 38-all.
In the other 130lb fight, Rodel Wenceslao of the Phil-Aust gym edged Joel Soterol of the RWS Gym by split decision. Two judges gave the fight to Soterol (39-37) while one judge gave it to Wenceslao.
Memar Dula of the Sta. Cruz Stable beat Khino Bandalan of Leyte via unanimous decision in their 120lb match. The scorecards read — 40-36, 39-37, 40-36.
A close runner-up for the night’s Best Fight award was fought between Bobby Sentillas of T.I. Cebu and GV Banares of SGG stable with the southpaw Sentillas knocking down Banares with a sharp uppercut in the dying seconds of the fourth and final round. All three judges gave the fight to Sentillas (39-36, 38-37, 39-36).
Winners in the 115lb division were Jherpaul Valero of T.I. Cebu via unanimous decision over Erwin Yamo of Phil-Aust gym (115lb) and Jolito Catubay of RWS Gym who beat Bernard Salicinas of Leyte via split decision while the 112lb match between Rommel Banquerigo of the RWS Stable and Ardie Boyose of SGG Stable ended in a draw.
Renoel Pael of T.I. Cebu Stable and Junior Salvador of the Phil-Aust Gym figured in a four-round majority draw while Jobert Alvarez of the Donaire Stable beat RJ Gonzales of the T.I.Cebu Stable via split decision in their 110lb match.
The 10-fight card was opened by the fight between Delmar Cabatas of the Sta. Cruz Gym against Gilbert Magos of the RWS Gym which was won by the former via unanimous decision. Magos was deducted a point for low blows.
Former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa graced the affair as TV commentator together with Chino Trinidad and Salven Lagumbay.
Winners will meet in the “Buhay Boksingero” finals slated in July and because the two flyweight bouts ended in draws, the finalists will be announced later with the decision to be based on their performances in the previous three legs of the reality boxing series.
GMA TV is still scouting for an indoor venue for the finals preferably in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. The fights are expected to be aired in August.