Dapudong dethrones Buthelezi for IBO title

Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong had to wait seven months and had to travel back 7,000 miles to South Africa for his chance at revenge. But the wait was all worth it.

The 26-year-old boxer from the Braveheart Stable of North Cotabato won the International Boxing Organization (IBO) super flyweight title when he knocked out defending champion Gideon Buthelezi of South Africa two minutes and 29 seconds into the first round of their fight at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.

Dapudong improved his record to 29W-5L with 17 knockouts while Buthelezi dropped to 13W-4L, 4 KOs. Dapudong is the first North Cotabato boxer to win a world title.

Dapudong hurt Buthelezi with a body shot and finished him with a left hook to the head.

Dapudong lost to Buthelezi by split decision last Nov. 10, 2012 in a fight also held in South Africa.

Former Governor Manny Pinol of North Cotabato, who is Dapudong’s manager, protested the decision and a rematch was ordered by the IBO. Dapudong scored a knockdown in the ninth round of that fight.

Dapudong previously lost to Hernan Marquez of Mexico by TKO in the third round in an attempt to win the WBA flyweight title in 2011.