By Ronnie Nathanielsz
One of the promising fighters among the ALA boys from the famed stable of respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer, WBO Asia Pacific super featherweight champion Czar Amonsot waged war over ten rounds against Puerto Rican toughie Jose Reyes to win a unanimous decision at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Stablemate Along Denoy was reportedly ahead on the scorecards of the judges when his fight against Mexican Esau Gaona was stopped in the fourth round after Gaona bled profusely from a nasty gash suffered in an accidental head-butt in the opening round.
Regrettably, Filipino fight fans won’t be able see the fights which were to be telecast by Viva Sports at prime time on May 20 over RPN 9 when Guilty Promotions failed to have the fights covered despite a signed contract and the TV license fees being remitted to them.
Well-known Filipino boxing manager and promoter Sammy Gello-ani said he had spoken to Jimmy Montoya at the weigh in and he said Guilty was "making arrangements" for the coverage. However, on the morning of the fight the Viva Sports US representative was informed in an email from Danford Beard that "unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we will not be doing TV production of tonight's fights" also indicating that the license fee would be returned.
Amonsot who slipped in the first round and hit the canvas when he was off-balance according to Gello-ani “fought vack with some heavy shots but couldn’t put his opponent down.” Gello-ani said it was a “hard fight for Amonsot and Reyes was a good fighter.”
Amonsot who is ranked No. 7 by the WBO won by a margin of 96-93 on the scorecards of two judges and 95-94 on the third.
The Las Vegas Sun newspaper reported Amonsot landed "more frequent and harder punches". The southpaw from Tagbilaran City now has a record of 16-1-1 with 10 knockouts while Reyes who fights out of New Jersey dropped to 18-3 with 7 KO’s.
Denoy was unlucky to be held to a fourth round technical draw when he was leading on points and was “ready to score a knockdown” according to Gello-Ani. The ring physician took a second look at Gaona’s bad cut and the referee called a halt. Under Las Vegas rules the fight was declared a technical draw which drew boos from the crowd which included several Filipinos.
