Bacon collars vacant crown

Cebuano James Bacon annexed the vacant Philippine superfeatherweight title with a first-round knockout win on Friday night over Elmer Legaria in the main event of the ALA-Cobra Energy Drink ‘Tunay na Lakas’ boxing series at the Lapu-Lapu Hoops Dome.

Bacon ganged up on Legaria at the bell, backing the latter with sharp jabs and finishing him off with a thunderous left hook to the ribs that sent Legaria down. Referee Teddy Alivio counted Legaria out at the 2:27 mark of the first.

Bacon of Mandaue City improved to 17W-2L, 12 KOs. It was the ALA Gym star’s second attempt at the Philippine superfeatherweight crown. Last October, he lost a split decision to Ronald Pontillas in Iloilo.

Legaria, who hails from Sarangani, dropped to 12W-(3KOs)-4L.

The card was held on the eve of Pinoy Pride VII featuring AJ Banal and Canadian Tyson Cave.

UNDERCARDS

In the main undercard fight, Larry “Bon Jovi” Canillas of Toledo City was declared winner by technical decision after his bout with veteran Jaime Barcelona was stopped in the sixth round due to accidental headbutt that resulted in a nasty cut over Canillas’ left eyelid.

Canillas, the reigning PABA superbantamweight titlist, was leading on the three judges’ scorecards — 58-56, 59-55 and 58-56 — to earn the technical decision win.

In the other undercard match, Welbeth Loberanis knocked out Wiljar Ugbaniel with a strong body shot in the 2:59 mark of the third round.

Mark Vincent Bernaldez survived a flash knockdown in the opening round to win a hard-fought unanimous decision over Jun Ryan Quimbo. All three judges had it 38-37.

Southpaw Mark Acub knocked down Jovannie Rota three times in the opening round with powerful left crosses and the referee stopped the carnage at the 2:55 mark.

Ryan Canillas and Lito Dante traded vicious hooks to the body and head for six rounds. Both boxers managed to finish the fight with swelling around the eyes. The scores read 58-56 for Canillas and two judges had it 57-57 for a majority draw.

Arjan Canillas won by TKO in the first round over Arnie Alagon, who dropped to one knee and signaled that he has had enough after being at the receiving end of powerful head shots. Official time – 1:09.

In the opening bout of the evening, Crispin Parba threw a torrent of punches at Octavio Aleonar slamming the latter into the red corner before the referee waived the fight off at 1:55 of the first round.

ALA Gym stars Donnie Nietes, Milan Melindo and Rocky Fuentes watched the action at ring side. The fights were supervised by GAB-Cebu’s Celso Miranda and Rolando Mendoza.