Ronnie Nathanielsz

In a battle of hard-hitting southpaws, the Philippines Alie Laurel scored a stunning 5th round TKO over undefeated world-rated Thai fighter Tiger Tor Buamas to win the WBO Oriental Bantamweight title in a fight card in Chachoengsao, a province in Eastern Thailand.

Nicknamed the “Demolition Man”, Laurel knew he had no chance to win over the Thai champion with judges, so went all-out for a knockout - eventually scoring a 5th round TKO over the WBO world rated No. 11.

Laurel was only ranked No. 12 in the October ratings of the Philippine Games and Amusements  Board but with the win improved his record to 11-3 with 7 knockouts.

The 28 year old Tiger Tor Buamas suffered his first loss and saw his record drop to 15-1 with 12 knockouts.

The Thai had won the vacant WBO Oriental title with a 5th round knockout of Filipino Alvin Bais on October 30 last year after grabbing the Interim WBC Asian Boxing Council title with a unanimous twelve round decision over another Filipino, Richard Garcia on May 29, 2013.

A report on the Garcia fight said Tiger Tor Buamas won a wide unanimous decision to retain his interim WBC Asian Boxing Council title. Scores 119-109 twice and 117-111.

Tor Buamas had won 9 of his previous 10 inside the distance while  Garcia had lost 4 of his last five.