Silvano retains PBF light flyweight belt

Vergilio “Maton” Silvano of the Omega Boxing Gym of Mabolo retained his Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) light flyweight title via an eighth-round technical knockout win against Lester Jun Pronco of the Dr. Sajulga Boxing Stable in the Fight Fury: Bakbakan sa Dalaguete last Saturday at the Dalaguete Sports Complex.

It was a homecoming win for the southpaw Silvano, who was energized by the cheers of his hometown fans.

He repeatedly landed hard shots against Pronco from the opening bell. Pronco tried to fight back past the halfway mark but Silvano knocked him down in the seventh round. Pronco got up but Silvano continued his assault in the eighth, prompting Pronco’s corner to throw in the towel at the 1:04 mark of the round.

This was the first defense of the title that Silvano won last July with a fourth-round TKO win over Charlie Cabilla at the J Centre Mall in Mandaue City.

The fight between Jason Canoy of the Omega Gym and Jetli Purisima of Gen. Santos City ended in a technical draw after two rounds.

An accidental clash of heads opened a wide and deep cut on Purisima’s left eyebrow.

In the other supporting bouts, Jhaleel Payao of the Omega Gym knocked out Mating Kilakil of Gensan in the second round with a hard body shot.

Jack “Golden Boy” Tepora of the Omega Gym beat Rommel Banquirigo of the RWS gym by unanimous decision.  All three judges had it for Tepora at 60-54.

Ryan Quimbo (RWS Gym) beat Charly Pucdol (Omega Gym) by majority decision. Jordan Catubay (Omega Gym) won by unanimous decision over Juvil Gayhun (Davao) while Abel Gayhun (Davao) won by TKO in the first round against Jay Molijon (Omega Gym). Kenan Villaflor stopped Mark Jhun Tubo in the opening round with a right uppercut to the liver.  /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr