ROLI “Gasca” Nengasca of the Philippines fought defending OPBF Super bantamweight champion Oohashi Hiromasa and carved out a thrilling twelve-round majority decision win at the Aioi Hall, Kariya, Aichi in Japan.
Judges Masakazu Murase of Japan and Noel Flores of the Philippines scored the bout 116-112 while Korean referee/judge Kwang Ki Kim scored it an even 115-115.
The ALA fighter Gasca, who hails from the southern town of Japitan, Barili in Cebu, started out quick landing left and right power shots to the face of Hiromasa and led in two of the three judges scorecards after four rounds.
Gasca landed solid shots with ease but the relentless Japanese bulldozed forward and landed some significant body shots of his own that had the Filipino in defensive mode.
During the middle rounds, Gasca boxed and set up his overhand right and executed it to perfection and coupled it with good upper cuts to the body and face.
After the ninth round when the pro Japanese crowd thought that Gasca was fading due to Hiromasa’s constant pressure, the Filipino bounced back and answered with combinations to the body and face of the Japanese.
Gasca punctuated his win by dominating the Japanese champion the whole of the 12th round, frustrating him and the crowd in attendance at the Aioi Hall.
Gasca will be arriving with his team composed of coach Joseph Baldago, ALA Chief Trainer Edito Villamor and ALA Promotions director for marketing and media relations Chad Canares in Cebu City today. pr