Rodriguez wins WBO AsPac bantam crown with shock 5th round KO of favored Palicte

MANDALUYONG CITY – Fredirex Rodriguez of Bukidnon captured the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title last Thursday with a fifth round knockout of  Vincent ‘Popeye’ Palicte at the Mandaluyong Gymnasium.

 
After a tentative opening round, Rodriguez started to land hard hooks in the second. Palicte landed well placed one-two combinations and the fight remained competitive until the 5th when Rodriguez hurt Palicte with body punch. They then wrestled each other to the canvas.
When they got up, Rodriguez landed a solid right hook that sent Palicte crashing to the canvas. Referee Danrex Tapdasan reached the  count of ten at the 2:59 mark.
Rodriguez received the WBO Asia-Pacific belt by WBO Asia-Pacific chief Leon Panoncillo.
“This win will give him an automatic world ranking in the top 15,” Panoncillo told CDN after the fight. The WBO Asia-Pacific 118 lb division title was previously held by AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal of the ALA Gym, who will fight for the vacant world title in the same division this October.
Palicte dropped to 14-4-1, 7 KOs. He is a former WBC International champion while Rodriguez, improved to 9-2-1, 7 KOs.
Meanwhile, Adones “The Undertaker” Cabalquinto scored a unanimous decision win over Jaypee Ignacio in their non-title joust. Cabalquinto is the Philippine jr. welterweight champion.
The fight between Joebert Alvarez and Albert Alcoy ended in a technical draw due to a clash of heads in the second round while Jerwin ‘Pretty Boy’ Ancajas beat John Mark Bautista by TKO in the fourth round.
Vincent’s brother, Aston Palicte, had better luck and won by TKO in 59 seconds of the opening round against Mark Joseph Costa.
Other undercard results: Jerson Luzarito and Marzon Cabilla fought to a technical draw in the 4th round; Michael Dasmarinas won by unanimous decision against Nelson Zabala while Eric Pansa and Miguel Traza fought to a split draw.
The event featured two pairs of female boxers. Carlean Rivas and Christine Latube fought to a split draw while Jessebelle Pagaduan won by first round TKO against Lady Love Sampiton.
The card was the first big venture of Joven Sports Promotions of Promoter Joven Jimenez. Billed as “Bakbakan sa Mandaluyong-Ang Kampeon Ayaw sa Droga” the card will be shown on GMA News TV’s regular Sunday morning boxing program.