Fighters from the T.I. Stable of Cebu won three of five finals matches last Saturday to emerge overall champion of GMA Television’s boxing tournament and reality series “Buhay Boksingero” at the Holy Name University Gym in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
In the light flyweight division, Jobert Alvarez of the Donaire Stable beat Delmar Cabatas of the Sta. Cruz Stable of Talisay City by unanimous decision after six rounds. All three judges scored it, 59-55.
In the flyweight category, Renoel Pael of T.I. Stable of Cebu won by technical decision after five rounds against Rommel Banquerigo of the RWS Gym while teammate Jherpaul Valero captured the superflyweight division title by knocking out Jolito Catubay of the RWS Gym in 2:04 of the third round.
T.I. Stable scored its third victory when Bobbie Sentillas won by TKO at the end of the fifth round against an exhausted Memar Dula of the Sta. Cruz stable in the 120lb. ‘catchweight’ category. Dula was treated for dehydration after the bout.
Jessie Cris Rosales of the SGG Stable won a close unanimous decision victory over Rodel Wenceslao of the Phil-Aust Gym of Mandaue City in the superfeatherweight finals. All three judges had it 57-56.
T.I. Gym trainer Brix Flores was delighted with the performance of his boxers and said that he credits God and the hard work put up by his boxers for the victory.
The winners were awarded an additional P7,000 pesos while boxers who scored stoppage wins and the Best Boxer awardee were given cash prizes.
Salven Lagumbay, who was one of the judges of the tournament, informed that Bobbie Sentillas was chosen as the Best Boxer of the tournament with Alvarez and Pael as runners-up.
The fights were offered free to the public and was supervised by Celso Miranda of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) of Cebu.
“Buhay Boksingero” was launched by GMA TV last March in Cebu City with plans of staging similar tournaments in other regions in the Philippines.