By Ronnie Nathanielsz

 

Fernando Otic of the Philippines has been knocked out in the fifth round of a Pan Asian Boxing Association super featherweight title fight by Indonesian champion Roy Mukhlis at the TVRI television studio in Jakarta.

 

The 21 year old Mukhlis fought back after taking some big shots to the head in the second round and nailed Otic with several punches to the face in round four according to Indonesian boxing writer Jeff Pamungkas.

 

Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today found out that although Otic was granted a title shot the latest ratings of PABA under secretary general Alan Kim was not even rated in the top 15 raising more  questions both of PABA and the GAB as to how such seeming mismatches are sanctioned.

 

Mukhlis caught Otic with a solid right hook to the head in the middle of the fifth round and followed up with a series of punches that dropped the Filipino who sat on the canvas until he was counted out. With the win the Indonesian improved his record to 17-2-2 with 14 knockouts while Otic dropped to 9-3 with 7 knockouts.

 

Mukhlis won the vacant title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Thailand’s Aree Phosuwangym on April 27 in a fight where international referee Ferdie Estrella of the Philippines as the third man in the ring.

 

On July 27 Mukhlis retained his title with a unanimous decision over Filipino Jaime Barcelona on July 27 and then scored a seventh round TKO over Decho Bankluaygym last November 2 to once again successfully defend his title.

 

Otic was coming off a unanimous eight round decision over game Elmer Colve last October 6.