By Rey Danseco
Super bantamweight Dexter Mendoza, a tall 5'8 Filipino prospect, floored veteran Noel Sungahid once en route to win a unanimous six-round technical decision in their scheduled 10-round clash, which took place on Sunday at Elorde Sports Center’s "The Flash Grand Ballroom" in Sucat, Paranaque City, a suburb located south of Manila's downtown in the Philippines.
Mendoza's quick punching scored the only knockdown against tSungahid in round 2 with a hard right to the face. A veteran of at least 40 fights, including two international title bouts in Thailand and one Philippine bantamweight championship, Sungahid returned to his feet and headbutted Mendoza twice in separate rounds. Referee Virgilio Abainza also caught him punching with low blow, which he intentionally threw to prevent himself from taking punishment when he was pinned in the neutral corner.
The third clash of heads produced a two-inch cut over Mendoza’s forehead which forced the ring physician to stop the fight. Mendoza, 25-year old native of Sta. Cruz in Zambales' province in Central Luzon, improved his record to 11-1-1 with 4 knockouts. A native of Mandaue City, Cebu, Sungahid’s record is now 19-17-4, 16 KOs.
Other results: Former Philippine champion Celso Danggod, found out that fighting a much taller opponent and without proper preparation, should be avoided. Danggod (120 lbs), who stands at 5-foot-2, fought with so much intensity but Vincent Palicte (119 lbs) who has four-inch height and reach advantage was too much. Referee Virgilio Garcia jumped in and stopped the carnage at 1:04 of round 6.
Lady fighter Jujeath Nagawa punished Nellie Caw-as and forced her to retire in the third of their scheduled 4-round fight at light flyweight.
Bantamweight Sylvester “ Silver” Lopez (6-2-1, 3 KOs) from Zamboanga floored Rene Nival (7-18-2) in the fourth round en route to earn a unanimous decision win after 8-rounds.
Cadiz City’s light flyweight BJ Dolorosa (4-2) outpointed Ryan Willis ( 2-5-2 ) of Baguio City in a bout of first timers over 8 rounds.
Ronquillo Salvador ( 5-2-1 , 2 KOs) of Antique took a TKO win when Rommel Bongon (8-15, 1 KO) quit at 1:44 of round 4. The Games and Amusement Board plans to retire Bongon.
Featherweight Ryan Sermona (3-0) of Himamaylan City earned a majority decision win over six-rounds against Valenzuela City’s Jeffrey Torio (1-4-1).
Ryan’s older brother Ronilo Sermona (8-5, 4 KOs ) took a close 6-round split decision win against the game Jet Caballes (4-5, 2 KOs ) of Manila.
Albay’s Rolando Niones (3-1) taught a late substitute Wilbur Andogan (0-1-1) of Cavite a boxing lesson in their 4-round match.